Petitions to the Supreme Court
Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment)
Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament announced to the House today (04) that he received three copies of petitions filed at the Supreme Court on 22.05.2024, one copy of a petition on 27.05.2024 and another copy of a petition on 28.05.2024 under Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment)”.
Economic Transformation
The Speaker further informed Parliament that he has received copies of five petitions filed at the Supreme Court under Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Economic Transformation”.
Question of privilege referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges
It was announced that the question of privilege raised by the Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Member of Parliament in Parliament on 24th April 2024 will be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Committee Nominations
Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence
Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana also inform that Hon. Mujibur Rahuman, Member of Parliament has been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence, in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 112 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 09th February 2024.
Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce and Food Security
The Speaker also announced that Hon. Mujibur Rahuman, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce and Food Security, in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 112 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 09 February 2024.
Committee on Economic Stabilization
Hon. Mujibur Rahuman, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Committee on Economic Stabilization, in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 123 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 09 February 2024.
Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open & Accountable Government
The Speaker informed that Hon. Velu Kumar, Member of Parliament, has been nominated to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open & Accountable Government, by the Committee of Selection on 28 May 2024, in terms of provisions of the Standing Order 130(3) of the Parliament to fill the vacancy occurred due to the resignation of the Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri, from the Membership of Parliament.
Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender
The Speaker announced to the House that Hon. Jagath Priyankara, Member of Parliament, has been nominated to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender by the Committee of Selection on 28 May 2024, in terms of provisions of the Standing Order 130(3) of the Parliament to fill the vacancy occurred in the said committee due to the resignation of the Hon. Uddika Premarathne, from the Membership of Parliament.
Panel of Chairs
The Speaker further informed the Parliament that the Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, Member of Parliament has been nominated to serve in the Panel of Chairs in addition to the Members of Parliament nominated at present for the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament, in terms of the Standing Order 143 of the Parliament.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
The Speaker also informed that, Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleke, Hon. M. A. Sumanthiran have been nominated by him, to serve in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, with the Speaker as the Chair, the Prime Minister, Leader of the House of Parliament, and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 126 (1) of Parliament.
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 2025.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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