2024-02-07
The Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament was ceremonially declared open today (Feb. 07) by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President.
Following the ceremonial opening of the session, the President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe presented the Statement of Government Policy in Parliament at around 10.30 am according to the powers vested in him under Article 33 of the Constitution.
Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe presenting the Statement of Government Policy in Parliament stated that the process of overcoming crisis should start from oneself. Adding to it, the President stated “Successful crisis management, whether on a global scale, within nations, or in individual lives, hinges on adeptly handling the situation and navigating through it. Initiating the process of overcoming a crisis must begin within oneself. Throughout history, no crisis has been conquered solely through pointing fingers at others. It is imperative that we become the guiding light for our own selves, correcting our thoughts and perspectives. Without personal improvement, there can be no collective good for our country, and the crisis remains unsolved. True systemic change can only occur when we, as individuals, undergo transformation, transcending mere pronouncement about altering the system”
Furthermore, the President stated that the country has been built to a better level by February 2024 compared to February 2023. Moreover, the President emphasized that crises in the world, countries and personal lives were solved by properly managing the such crisis.
Following the arrival of the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and his wife, the Prime Minister Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena arrived, followed by the arrival of the Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President.
There the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and the Secretary General of the Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera received the President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe near the main steps of the Parliament building.
Followed by the said, the Speaker and the Secretary General of the Parliament led by the Serjeant at Arms, Deputy Serjeant at Arms escorted the President to the Parliament House.
On that occasion, the students of Devi Balika Vidyalaya recited Jayamangala Gatha and blessed the President and the Parliament.
The President who arrived at the Robing Room stayed there until approximately 10.25 am and keeping with tradition, was escorted to the Chamber by the Deputy Serjeant at Arms, the Serjeant at Arms carrying the Mace followed by the Speaker and the Secretary Generals of Parliament accordingly.
Thereafter, the President presented the Statement of Government Policy, and the House was adjourned until 9.30 am on 08.02.2024.
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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