The President Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake by virtue of the powers vested in him by Article 70 of the Constitution and in pursuance of the provisions of Section 10 of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, dissolved the Parliament with effect from the midnight of 24th of September 2024 and summoned the new Parliament to meet on the 21st of November 2024.
This proclamation has been made through the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2403/13 dated 24.09.2024.
Also, by this proclamation, the date of 14.11.2024 has been fixed for holding the parliamentary election and the period for accepting nominations has been fixed from 04.10.2024 to 11.10.2024.
2026-05-27
A Parliamentary delegation comprising twenty Members of Parliament and four officials of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, led by the (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Hon. Deputy Minister of Mass Media, departed from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on 25th May 2026 to participate in the Workshop for Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka being held in Beijing and Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China. The programme is organized by the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China from 26th May to 5th June 2026.The delegation arrived in Beijing on 25th May 2026 and commenced official engagements on 26th May 2026 with the Opening Ceremony of the Workshop held at the Fenghui Centre in Beijing.Addressing the Opening Ceremony on behalf of the Sri Lankan delegation, (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Hon. Deputy Minister delivered a statement at the event in her capacity as Head of Delegation. Remarks were also made by Ms. Poornima Gunasekera, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing and Mrs. Qiu Aijun, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission of China. The programme includes a series of lectures, discussions, institutional visits and field engagements in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangdong Province, focusing on governance, economic development, infrastructure modernization, technological innovation, green development, and sustainable development initiatives in China.Sri Lanka’s participation in the Workshop underscores the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthening longstanding bilateral relations, enhancing Parliamentary diplomacy, and promoting institutional cooperation and knowledge exchange between Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China.The Sri Lankan delegation comprises T.B. Sarath, Hon. Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply; Hon. Members of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dasanayake; Rohana Bandara; W.H.M. Dharmasena; Upul Kithsiri; Thahir Marikar; Chandana Thennakoon; Dharmapriya Dissanayake; Susantha Kumara Nawarathna; Nandana Pathmakumara; Stefani Fernando; (Dr.) Sri Bavanandarajah; E.M. Basnayaka; Mohammed Sharif Fasmin; (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam; Dinesh Hemantha Perera; Samantha Ranasingha; Abthul Wazeeth and Roshan Akmeemana.The delegation also includes Mr. Hansa Abeyrathne, Assistant Secretary-General; Mr. Gamage Sarath Kumara, Director (Finance); Mr. Lal Kumarasiri, Senior Parliamentary Interpreter and Mrs. Ama Vithanage, Chief Parliamentary Protocol Officer.
2026-05-22
A discussion between the members of the Sri Lanka - Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association, led by its chairman Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, and the Ambassador of Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka, H.E. Patricia Làzara Guerra, was held recently (May 20) at Parliament premises. The meeting focused on the future activities of the Sri Lanka–Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association and explored avenues to further strengthen the longstanding relations between the two countries.Recalling the historic friendship and close ties shared by Sri Lanka and Cuba, the Hon. Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing Parliamentary diplomacy and reinforcing democratic cooperation between the legislatures of both nations.Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Patricia Làzara Guerra expressed her commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in a number of key sectors, including healthcare, sports, agriculture, and climate change. She also reaffirmed the dedication of the Cuba–Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association towards promoting stronger inter-parliamentary engagement and collaboration.The Ambassador further stated that arrangements are being made to organize a virtual meeting between members of the Parliamentary friendship associations of the two countries, with the aim of fostering closer interaction and dialogue. She also invited members to participate in commemorative events being organized to mark the centenary birth anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.During the discussion, members of the Parliamentary Friendship Association also exchanged views on possible areas of support and cooperation that Sri Lanka could extend to Cuba international levels.The Ambassador additionally provided a detailed overview of the current situation in Cuba and briefed the members on the challenges presently being faced by the country.
2026-05-19
Supreme Court Determination on the “Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment)” Bill Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne informed Parliament today (May 19) that he had received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment)” which was challenged in the Supreme Court under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.The Speaker further announced that the Supreme Court has determined that the Bill or any provision thereof is not inconsistent with any provision of the Constitution.Supreme Court Determination on the “Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment)” BillIn terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution, the Speaker also informed Parliament that he had received the determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment)” which was challenged in the Supreme Court under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.The Supreme Court has determined that the Bill could be passed by the simple majority of Parliament, except Clause 22 and Clause 39, which Clauses shall be passed by the special majority of Parliament. However, if Clause 22 and Clause 39 are amended as proposed by the Court, the said Clauses too could be passed by the simple majority of Parliament. The Speaker also directed that the Determinations of the Supreme Court be printed in the official report of today's proceedings.
2026-05-18
The inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Southlands College, Galle was held recently (May 14) at the Old Parliamentary Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Subhash Roshan Gamage, and Senior Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Mr. Kamal Ariyasinghe. The programme was jointly organized by Southlands College, the Ministry of Education, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Department of Communications of the Parliament of Sri Lanka with the objective of providing practical exposure to Parliamentary procedures for the students of Southlands College, Galle.Addressing the gathering, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Subhash Roshan Gamage stated that student parliament programmes provide children with significant leadership experience. He further stated that students engaged in student parliament activities, as future custodians of the country, should possess an understanding of the need to minimize waste in the country. He also briefed the students on the President’s Fund.Senior Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Kamal Ariyasinghe emphasized the importance of developing leadership qualities from an early stage and also briefed the students on the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.Deputy Director (Administration) of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Ms. Chintha Madhubhashini Bulathsinhala, briefed the students on the role of Parliament, its composition, and its functions.The inaugural sitting of the Southlands College Student Parliament commenced with the election of the Speaker, followed by the swearing-in of the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, and Members of Parliament. Subsequently, each student minister presented the plans proposed to be implemented through their respective ministries.Certificates were also awarded to the students representing the Student Parliament under the patronage of the invited dignitaries.Concluding the programme, the Principal of Southlands College, Galle Ms. N.G.R. Sumedha Kariyawasam, delivered the vote of thanks.Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla and officials of the Department of Communications of Parliament also participated in the event.The programme was also attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education Ms. Wasana Edirisooriya, Director General of Public Relations to the President Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla, Director of the Department of Communications of Parliament Mr. Samantha Mallawarachchi, as well as officials of the Department of Communications.
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