2024-03-13
A delegation of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for South Asia, headed by Hon. Renate Kunast, Member of Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany, who visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka, met the Speaker, Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, representatives of the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus and representatives of the Sri Lanka-German Parliamentary Friendship Association. During the meeting, further strengthening of relations between Sri Lanka and Germany was discussed at length.
The speaker recalled the cooperation provided by Germany to Sri Lanka through the Ceylon - German Technical Training Institute and said that there is a high international demand for youths who are trained in the German Technical Training Institute. The speaker also mentioned that Germany's support is expected in such technical activities in the future. Also, the German delegation engaged in a discussion with the speaker on the upcoming elections, cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and development measures in Sri Lanka.
The delegation met and discussed with the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Member of Parliament Hon. (Dr.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle and the members of caucus, as well as the Chairperson of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender, Hon. Talatha Athukorala. The German delegation was informed about the measures taken to empower women and children and prevent violence and abuse against them. The delegation was also briefed on the measures taken regarding issues such as early childhood education, care of children of working mothers etc.
A meeting was also held between the Sri Lanka-German Parliamentary Friendship Association and the German delegation. Chairman of the Sri Lanka German Parliamentary Friendship Association, Member of Parliament Hon. Prof. Charita Herath and Hon. Renate Kunast, Member of Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany presided over this meeting.
The Secretary of the Sri Lanka-German Parliamentary Friendship Association, Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Harsha De Silva, Vice Presidents of the Friendship Association Hon. Niroshan Perera and Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Treasurer Hon. Udayana Kirindigoda, Members of the Friendship Association, State Minister Hon. Aravinda Kumar, Members of Parliament Hon. A.H.M. Fauci, Hon. Iran Wickramaratne, Hon. B.Y.G. Ratnasekara and Hon. Madhura Withanage were also present.
Hon. Charita Herath said that this meeting is very important to further enhance Sri Lanka-German friendly relations and discuss matters of mutual importance to both countries.
The German delegation inquired about the progress of the program in connection with the International Monetary Fund, the upcoming elections and the challenges faced economically. Accordingly, the members of Parliament of Sri Lanka presented their stance regarding those matters. The attention was also paid to the expansion of investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and Hon. Renate Kunast, said that it is important to conduct these activities transparently in providing opportunities to investors.
Members of Parliament, Acting Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, Assistant Secretary General Mr. Hansa Abeyratne, German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr. Felix Neumann and others participated in this meeting.
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.
2026-09-08
Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka”The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Sep. 08) announced in Parliament that he had received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Articles 121 (1) of the Constitution. Accordingly, the Supreme Court has determined that; (i) Clause 3(i) of the Bill is vague and is therefore inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the said clause is deleted.(ii) Clause 4(o) of the Bill is inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the said clause is amended as proposed by the Court.(iii) Clause 5(4)(b) of the Bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the clause 5 is amended as proposed by the Court.(iv) The rest of the clauses of the Bill are not inconsistent with the Constitution.Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution, in respect of the Bill titled “Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution”The Hon. Speaker also informed the Parliament that, he had received copies of petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution, in respect of the Bill titled “Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution” as mentioned below, in addition to the receipt of nine Petitions mentioned in his announcements dated 19th, 20th & 21st of August 2026: —• Seven Petitions on 21st of August 2026• Four Petitions on 24th of August 2026• Eight Petitions on 25th of August 2026• Five Petitions on 28th of August 2026• Thirty-one Petitions on 31st of August 2026• Ten Petitions on 01st of September 2026• Three Petitions on 03rd of September 2026• Two Petitions on 04th of September 2026Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)”The Hon Speaker announced that he had received copies of fifteen petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)”.Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Judicature (Amendment)”The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne further informed the Parliament that he had received seven more copies of Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Judicature (Amendment)”, in addition to the receipt of the Petition mentioned in his announcement dated 19th of August 2026.
2026-09-08
Hon. Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certificate on the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill today (Sep. 08).The Bill, which seeks to amend the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956, was presented to Parliament by the Minister of Labour and was passed by Parliament on the 20th August.The primary objective of this amendment is to update the fines imposed for offences under the Act relating to the employment of women, young persons and children, in order to bring them in line with current circumstances.The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956 completely prohibits the employment of children under the age of 16. As the fines that may be imposed by a court for offences under the Act are no longer adequate in view of prevailing socio-economic conditions, the new amendment provides for the revision of those fines. Accordingly, the Bill has been introduced to increase the fines imposed for offences under the Women, Young Persons and Children (Employment) Act No. 47 of 1956, from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.Accordingly, the Bill will come into force as the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Act No. 21 of 2026.
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