2024-10-03
News Categories : News
During the period of the Ninth Parliament, which commenced on August 20, 2020 and was dissolved by the Hon. President at midnight on September 24, 2024, there were 19 vacancies of Parliamentary seats according to Article 66 of the Constitution, and accordingly, 16 members have been appointed as new Members of Parliament in 18 occasions.
Accordingly, 241 MPs have represented the Ninth Parliament. Hon. Jayantha Katagoda, who was elected to Parliament from the national list, resigned and Hon. Basil Rajapaksa was appointed in his place. Then the National List Member, Hon. Ajith Nivard Cabral resigned and Hon. Jayantha Katagoda was again appointed to the vacancy. Similarly, for the vacant seat due to the resignation of Hon. Mujibar Rahman, Hon. A.H.M. Fowzie was elected and Hon. Mujibur Rahman was again appointed for the Parliamentary seat of Hon. (Mrs.) Diana Gamage, which was vacant due to a court decision. However, a new MP was not appointed for the vacant Parliamentary seat of Hon. Harin Fernando.
One of the most significant events that captured public attention during this term was the election of Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe as the 8th Executive President of Sri Lanka following the resignation of the 7th Executive President of Sri Lanka, Hon. Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Thus, 16 new Members of Parliaments have been appointed, including the appointment of a new MP to replace the Parliamentary seat that was vacated by Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe, who was a Member of Parliament.
| No. | Name of MP and Reason for Resignation | Name of the New MP Appointed for the Vacancy |
| Resignation | ||
| 01 | Hon. Jayanta Katagoda | Hon. Basil Rajapaksa |
| 02 | Hon. Ajith Nivard Cabraal | Hon. Jayanta Katagoda |
| 03 | Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe | Hon. Lalith Warnakumara |
| 04 | Hon. Basil Rajapaksa | Hon. Dhammika Perera |
| 05 | Hon. Mujibur Rahuman | Hon. A. H. M. Fowzie |
| 06 | Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri | Hon. Nayana Wasalathilake |
| 07 | Hon. Uddika Premarathna | Hon. S. C. Muthukumarana |
| 08 | Hon. Thalatha Athukorala | Hon. Karunaratne Paranavithana |
| Disqualification under Articles 89 or 91 of the Constitution | ||
| 09 | Hon. Ranjan Ramanayake | Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma |
| 10 | Hon. Diana Gamage | Hon. Mujibur Rahuman |
| Expelled from Party Membership | ||
| 11 | Hon. Naseer Ahamed | Hon. Ali Zahir Moulana |
| 12 | Hon. Manusha Nanayakkara | Hon. Bandula Lal Bandaragoda |
| 13 | Hon. Harin Fernando | ----- |
| Deceased | ||
| 14 | Hon. Amarakeerthi Athukorala | Hon. Jagath Samarawickrama |
| 15 | Hon. Sanath Nishantha | Hon. Jagath Priyankara |
| 16 | Hon. H. Nandasena | Hon. M. G. Weerasena |
| 17 | Hon. R. Sampanthan | Hon. Kadiravelu Kugathasan |
| Appointed to the Presidency | ||
| 18 | Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe | Hon. Vajira Abeywardena |
| 19 | Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake | Hon. Lakshman Nipunarachchi |
This Parliament has undergone four prorogations. The first two prorogations were carried out by the former President Hon. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, while the third and fourth prorogations were initiated by former President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe. Accordingly, five sessions were held in the Ninth Parliament. The first session lasted from August 20, 2020, to December 12, 2021; the second session from January 18, 2022, to July 28, 2022; the third session from August 3, 2022, to January 27, 2023; the fourth session from February 8, 2023, to January 26, 2024; and the fifth session from February 7, 2024, until the dissolution of Parliament on September 24, 2024.
During these five sessions, Parliament convened for a total of 390 days.
2026-06-10
A programme to brief Hon. Members of Parliament on Sri Lanka’s current monetary policy, exchange rate policy and the country’s economic situation was held in Parliament today (10th June).The programme was conducted under the patronage of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Resource persons included the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, together with a group of senior officials from the Central Bank.During the session, Members of Parliament were briefed on the current monetary policy in the country, the behavior of the exchange rate, economic stability and matters relating to the economic progress of Sri Lanka. Central Bank officials also responded to questions and comments raised by Members, providing clarifications and explanations.The event was attended by the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Hon. Members of Parliament and the Secretary General of Parliament (Ms.) Kushani Rohanadeera and several other officials.
2026-06-09
The Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment)” which was challenged in the Supreme Court under Article 121(1) of the Constitution, was announced to Parliament today (Jun. 09) by the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, the Supreme Court has determined that the Bill may be passed by the simple majority of Parliament, except Clause 14 [proposed Section 12A(b)] and Clause 18 [proposed Sections 17A, 17B and 17C] which Clauses shall be passed by the special majority of Parliament. Furthermore, the Speaker informed Parliament that the Supreme Court has further determined that the said Clauses too can be passed by the simple majority of Parliament if they are amended as proposed by the Court.The Hon. Speaker also ordered that the Determination of the Supreme Court be printed in the official report of today's proceedings.
2026-06-08
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Parliamentary Interpreters (API) was held recently at Committee Room No. 02 of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.During the meeting, the following office bearers were elected to serve the Association for the year 2026: Mr. B.M. Razeel as President, Mr. M.I.M. Fazi as Vice President, Mr. M.T. Zainur Rifa as Treasurer, Mr. C. Manimaran as Secretary, and Miss D. Thulankani as Assistant Secretary. The Executive Committee comprises Mr. M. Mayureshan and Mrs. A.A.S. Safaya.Following the election, the newly elected office bearers posed for a group photograph with the Chief Parliamentary Interpreter, Mr. C.J. Karunarathna, Attorney-at-Law, and the Deputy Chief Parliamentary Interpreters, Mr. A.G.M. Fiqrhi, Mr. A. Saravanabavanandan and Mrs. N.B.C.J. Nissanga.
2026-06-04
The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, yesterday (Jun. 03) endorsed the certificate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill.The Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, which amends the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, was passed on 19 May 2026. The Act modernizes tax administration procedures, clarifies existing provisions, enhances tax compliance and enforcement, improves the accuracy of tax calculations and deductions, supports strategic economic objectives, and strengthens transparency and anti-money laundering measures.Key changes include the mandatory use of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates for certain significant financial transactions, several revisions to the calculation of income, greater clarity regarding tax exemptions for specific projects and businesses, and an expanded scope for the disclosure of information to relevant authorities.Accordingly, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill comes into force as the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2026.
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