Co-opted Members appointed for the consideration of Bills
“Saweera Foundation (Incorporation)” Bill
Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker announced to the House today (Apr. 01) that in terms of Standing Order 113(2) of Parliament, the following Members of Parliament, namely; Hon. Anupa Pasqual, Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera, Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, Hon. Mayadunna Chinthaka Amal, Hon. Lalith Varna Kumara, Hon. Rohana Bandara, Hon. Asanka Navarathna, Hon. Udayana Kirindigoda have been nominated as the Co-opted Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Saweera Foundation (Incorporation)” Bill.
“Penal Code (Amendment)” Bill
Members of Parliament Hon. Jeevan Thondaman, Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya, Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Hon. (Mrs.) Diana Gamage, Hon. Buddhika Pathirana, Hon. Mohomad Muzammil, Hon. (Mrs.) Muditha Prishanthi, Hon. Gevindu Cumaratunga have been nominated to serve as the Co-opted Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Penal Code (Amendment)” Bill.
Kelaniya Buddhist Women’s Charitable Society (Incorporation) Bill
Members of Parliament Hon. Vidura Wickramanayaka, Hon. Prasanna Ranaweera, Hon. Gayantha Karunathileka, Hon. (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana, Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, Hon. M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep Withana, Hon. (Mrs.) Manjula Dissanayake has been nominated as the Co-opted Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for consideration of the Bill titled “Kelaniya Buddhist Women’s Charitable Society (Incorporation)” In terms of Standing Order 113(2) of Parliament.
Samadhi Health Service, Environment, Agricultural, Cultural and Sport Centre (Incorporation) Bill
Members of Parliament Hon. Shantha Bandara, Hon. Anupa Pasqual, Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe, Hon. S. M. M. Muszhaaraff, Hon. Karunadasa Kodithuwakku, Hon. Kins Nelson, Hon. Rohana Bandara, Hon. Nipuna Ranawaka have been nominated to serve as the Co-opted Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Samadhi Health Service, Environment, Agricultural, Cultural and Sport Centre (Incorporation) Bill.
Samadhi Meditation and Yoga Centre (Incorporation) Bill
Members of Parliament Hon. Vidura Wickramanayaka, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Hon. Vijitha Berugoda, Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe, Hon. Sanjeeva Edirimanna, Hon. Karunadasa Kodithuwakku, Hon. Kins Nelson, Hon. Rohana Bandara have been nominated to serve as the Co-opted Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Samadhi Meditation and Yoga Centre (Incorporation)” Bill in terms of Standing Order 113(2) of Parliament.
Nominating Members of Parliament to serve in Committees
Committee on Ways and Means
Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana announced that the Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Committee on Ways and Means, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 124 of Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 09 February 2024.
Referring to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The question of privilege raised by Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, M.P. in Parliament on 20 November 2023 has been referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The question of privilege raised by Hon. Rohana Bandara, M.P. in Parliament on 09 February 2024 has been referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The question of privilege raised by Hon. Rohitha Abegunawardhana, M.P. in Parliament on 21 February 2024 has been referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The question of privilege raised by Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. in Parliament on 20 November 2023 has been referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
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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