2024-06-05
In line with the World Environment Day, large bins for collecting discarded plastic bottles (PET bottles) collected in the Parliament complex were presented on 5th June 2024 under the patronage of Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
According to the concept of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, the provision of large bins to store the used plastic bottles collected in Parliament complex was taken place through the financial support of Coca Cola Sri Lanka.
The plastic bottles collected in these bins will be purchased by Eco Spindles Pvt Ltd and the money is planned to be credited to a bank account for the welfare of Parliament staff. This project is implemented as one part of the programme of this Sectoral Oversight Committee to make the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Matale and Ampara into model districts free of polythene and plastic waste.
The aim of this project is to ensure that 100% of the plastic waste collected in the Parliament complex is recycled by directly giving the plastic pet bottles discarded in the Parliament complex to a main organization in the country that recycles plastic pet bottles for a reasonable price.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena pointed out that such programmes should be further promoted to protect the environment. Also, the speaker extended his gratitude to all stake holders, including the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee, Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma.
Also, the opposition leader Hon. Sajith Premadasa, who participated in this event, said that the World Environment Day would be more meaningful with this program to protect the environment with creative ideas. Also, the opposition leader pointed out that it is very important to earn foreign exchange through waste management, as well as to prevent the country's wealth from going abroad. He also thanked all those who intervened in this, including the Sectoral Oversight Committee.
Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma, said that nearly 4000 plastic bottles are brought monthly for committee meetings of the Parliament and thus this project is extremely important to protect the environment. He pointed out that 1600 tons of PET plastic raw materials are imported into Sri Lanka every month, nearly 400 tons of which are used for products are exported and another 400 tons are used and sent for recycling. Accordingly, the chairman pointed out that projects like this are extremely important as another 800 tons will be added to the canals and rivers after use. He also said that according to the current situation, plastic is an essential thing and it is everyone's responsibility to manage it properly.
Also, the Chairman of the Committee requested the Speaker to focus on introducing the use of glass bottles for the parliamentary committees.
He also pointed out that even the motorcycle that comes regularly to collect these bottles is an eco-friendly electric powered motorcycle.
Clothes, brooms, brushes and other tools made of PET plastic were introduced to the Speaker and a set of tools produced by Eco Spindles was also presented to the Parliament.
Members of Parliament Hon. Jayantha Katagoda, Hon. Akila Ellawala, Hon. Waruna Liyanage and Hon. Dr. Thilak Rajapaksa and a group of officials including the Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera and a group of officials including Mr. Pradeep Pande, Managing Director of Coca Cola - Sri Lanka and a group of officials including the Chief Executive Officer of Eco Spindles Pvt. Ltd Mr. Prasantha Malimbada, also participated in this event.
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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