2024-01-24
Members of Parliament representing the Opposition and the Government expressed their views in Parliament today (Jan. 24) appreciating the service of Mr. Narendra Fernando, the Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament, who is to retire on January 30th after serving in Parliament for over 42 years.
Traditionally, when the Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament retires, time is allotted to move a motion to appreciate his service. Accordingly, following the vote pertaining to the Online Safety Bill debated today (24), an hour was set aside from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm for the appreciation of the service of the Serjeant-at-Arms.
Appreciating the excellent service rendered by Mr. Narendra Fernando, the said motion was presented to the House by the Leader of the House, Minister Hon. (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha. The Leader of the House recalled the contributions of the Serjeant-at-Arms in holding sittings of Parliament during the power cuts which had occurred due to the floods by the use of candle light.
Leader of the House, Hon. (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha stated that the Serjeant-at-Arms was rendered his service with great dedication during his tenure, guiding his fellow officials and assigning responsibilities to them in an excellent manner.
Addressing the occasion, Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the Speaker of Parliament stated that the service by the Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Narendra Fernando towards ensuring the security of the Parliament is highly commendable. The Speaker pointed out that the service he rendered was astounding whenever the security of the Parliament was threatened, including during the COVID situation.
Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, Deputy Speaker appreciated the service of Mr. Narendra Fernando stated that having worked energetically and actively, the service rendered by Mr. Narendra Fernando will remain in our memories forever. His contribution to protect the mace was also appreciated at this occasion. The Deputy Speaker pointed out that even today, which was the day of his last parliamentary sitting, which was constantly faced with challenges, he faced all those situations very successfully.
The Prime Minister Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena stated that the commitment shown by Mr. Narendra Fernando is exemplary. The Prime Minister pointed out that Mr. Narendra Fernando who joined the Parliament at Galle face at that time, successfully overcame various challenges during his 42 years of service. The Prime Minister stated that the sacrifice he made to maintain the safety of Parliamentary affairs during the period of the COVID pandemic was an astounding service that cannot be forgotten. The Prime Minister also appreciated the contribution he made by providing security to the Parliament during a crisis when Parliamentarians could not come or leave the premises.
Expressing views, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the opposition, stated that Mr. Narendra Fernando, who is a brilliant in all fields, successfully faced various challenges during his service and performed an outstanding service.
Thereafter, many government and opposition Members of Parliament appreciated the service of Mr. Narendra Fernando and extended wishes. They pointed out that he should be appreciated for his service, which was very direct and gentle, acting impartially.
A brief introduction about of Mr. Narendra Fernando, the Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament
Born in Wellawatta, Colombo, Mr. Narendra Mihindukumara Fernando received his primary education from Isipathana College, Colombo and completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Human Resource Management in India.
Following his father who was an assistant Hansard editor of the Parliament, Mr. Fernando joined the parliamentary service as a clerk in 1981 and worked in a number of offices belonging to the administrative department of the Parliament for 20 years. In 2000, Mr. Fernando was promoted to the position of Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms and in 2002, he was appointed to the position of Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms of the Parliament. He was appointed as the sixth Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament on September 1st, 2018.
In his service of more than 5 years as the Serjeant-at-Arms of the Parliament, Mr. Fernando had to face many challenges to protect the Parliament and the parliamentary system. Among the said, successfully overcoming the challenges faced during the 52-day change of government, taking necessary steps to maintain the Parliamentary sittings without an interruption during the COVID pandemic and providing the safety and welfare of the Members of Parliament and staff by carrying out the necessary measures to provide vaccinations, taking various measures together with the security forces to protect the Parliament complex during the Aragalaya, providing maximum support to the Secretary General of the Parliament in the process of electing a President from the Parliament for the first time in history, organizing the swearing-in ceremony of the Hon. President in the Parliament complex for the first time in history, protecting the mace can be highlighted as a few of such challenges.
During the years 1992 – 2010, dealing with the flood situations in the Parliament complex, taking necessary measures to hold Parliamentary sittings during the 1987 Parliament bombing incident while serving as the personal assistant of the Hon. Speaker and acting as the chief coordinator in the organization of the annual conferences held in Colombo in the years 1995 and 2014 of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association can be highlighted as some special instances during the service of Mr. Fernando.
In addition to the said, Mr. Fernando as the Serjeant-at-Arms took steps to make arrangements for a joint security operation in the Parliament for the first time in history and to establish a strong security program by eliminating the weaknesses related to the security of the Parliament.
Mr. Fernando is married to Mrs. Tushanthi Fernando who is a Chartered Accountant and their only son Anuja Fernando is a resident in Australia.
2026-09-11
H.E. Wei Huaxiang, the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliament premises recently (Sep. 10). Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera was also present at the meeting.The Hon. Speaker warmly welcomed Ambassador H.E. Wei Huaxiang and congratulated him on his appointment, while reaffirming the longstanding friendship and close relations between Sri Lanka and China.The Hon. Speaker expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the continued support extended by China to Sri Lanka as a true friend, particularly during various challenging periods, including the country’s recent economic crisis. He also appreciated China’s assistance following the recent Ditwah Cyclone and its continued support for the people of Sri Lanka, including the provision of school uniform material.Highlighting the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the Hon. Speaker noted the steps taken to strengthen cooperation between the two Parliaments, including parliamentary exchange programmes. He said further initiatives and future programmes would be pursued through the Sri Lanka–China Parliamentary Friendship Association to further deepen relations between the two countries.The Hon. Speaker also briefed the Ambassador on the Government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and advance national reconciliation. He observed that cooperation between Sri Lanka and China has expanded into a wide range of sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang thanked the Hon. Speaker for the warm welcome and said he had been deeply impressed by the friendliness and smiles of the Sri Lankan people. Referring to Sri Lanka as a “beautiful Island of Smiles,” he expressed his appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended to him since his arrival in the country.The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding historical ties between China and Sri Lanka, noting the centuries of maritime and cultural exchanges between the two nations. He said bilateral relations had continued to strengthen since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka.Referring to recent high-level engagements, Ambassador Wei noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya during their respective visits to China in 2025. He said these high-level engagements had provided new strategic direction for the further development of bilateral relations.The Ambassador stated that China regards Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and expressed China’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation in support of Sri Lanka’s economic development and efforts to improve the livelihoods of its people.Both sides also highlighted the significance of 2027, when Sri Lanka and China will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang further expressed his commitment to working towards strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two countries, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese institutions and citizens in Sri Lanka.
2026-09-11
Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution to be Debated on September 24 and 25The Parliamentary Business for the next Parliamentary Week, scheduled to be held from September 22 to 25, has been decided.The decisions were taken at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held yesterday (Sep. 10), under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.On each day that Parliament meets, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for Parliamentary Business specified under Standing Orders 22(1) to 22(6). The period from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while the period from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Accordingly, on Tuesday, September 22, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2497/37 under the Petroleum Resources Act and the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) will be taken up for debate at.Thereafter, at 5.00 p.m., the Tredso Development Foundation (Incorporation) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill, is scheduled to be taken up for Second Reading and thereafter referred to the Legislative Standing Committee.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., an Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the Opposition is scheduled to be taken up for debate.On Wednesday, September 23, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the debate on the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka Bill (Second Reading) will be held.Thereafter, the period from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Thursday, September 24, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., time has been allocated for the Second Reading debate on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill.It was agreed that the two-day debate would be held subject to the Hon. Speaker making an announcement to Parliament following the delivery of the Supreme Court determination on the petitions filed against the respective Bills under Article 121 of the Constitution.On Friday, September 25, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., it has been decided to continue the Second Reading debate on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill for the second day.
2026-09-09
The Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Sep. 09).The debate on the second reading of the Bill was held in Parliament from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. today, following which the Bill was passed without a division.The Bill was presented to Parliament for its first reading on 4th August 2026.The Bill has been introduced to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009. The Act was enacted in 2009 to carry out functions including the coordination of activities between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, in accordance with the requirements of the time.Accordingly, with the repeal of the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009, the position of Chief of Defence Staff is also set to be repealed under this Bill.Furthermore, upon the commencement of this Act, all movable and immovable property belonging to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff will be transferred to the Ministry of Defence.
2026-09-09
The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated in Parliament that plans have been prepared to modernize the Government Printing Corporation by gradually phasing out old and outdated machinery that has been in use for more than 50 years and procuring efficient equipment equipped with modern technology.She further stated that the modernization programme aims to establish a modern printing unit equipped with advanced technology, capable of targeting international markets and providing Smart Security Printing capabilities.The Prime Minister made these remarks in response to Questions for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Major General (Retired) G.D. Sooriyabandara.The Prime Minister stated that the Government Printing Corporation currently employs 445 permanent employees, along with a further 21 employees on a contractual basis.She further noted that the printing facility of the Government Printing Corporation, which is currently operational in Wataraka, Padukka, carries out printing work based on orders received from the Government. These services include the printing of school textbooks and modules, as well as security printing, including the printing of provincial examination papers, lottery tickets and confidential documents.In addition, the Corporation undertakes the printing of SPC exercise books, printing requirements of various government institutions, other commercial printing work, private printing orders and election-related printing. The Corporation also maintains a network of SPC outlets across several districts of the country, the Prime Minister said.The Prime Minister also pointed out that the Government derives numerous benefits from having a printing institution operating under the Ministry.Accordingly, these benefits include the presence of the Government Printing Corporation as a factor that helps regulate market prices, maintain market standards and quality, meet the requirement for a reliable Security Printing facility, and maintain the Corporation as the only state-owned enterprise in the printing sector.She further highlighted the Corporation’s role in meeting the need for large-scale printing capacity, ensuring access to government-owned printing facilities, and reducing the costs associated with printing activities.Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that the continued existence of the Government Printing Corporation provides employment opportunities as a state institution, maintains a skilled and trained workforce, and enables the Government to derive financial benefits as its state share.
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