The ninth parliamentary term spanned 4 years, 1 month, and 4 days, beginning with the inaugural session on August 20, 2020, until its dissolution. During this period, the Parliament convened for 390 days across five sessions. Significant events during the ninth parliamentary term included constitutional amendments, the election of a successor president through a Parliamentary vote, the submission of no-confidence motion, the removal of a commission chairman/member through a resolution, and the suspension of the service of Parliamentarians due to disciplinary actions.
Accordingly, with the commencement of the ninth Parliament in 2020, the then Minister of Justice, Hon. M.U.M. Ali Sabry, presented the "Twentieth Constitutional Amendment" Bill to Parliament on September 22, 2020, aiming to amend the Constitution.
On October 21 and 22, following the debate pertaining to the second reading, the Bill was passed with a special majority. During the voting, 156 votes were cast in favor, and 65 votes were cast against the Bill. After the Committee Stage, the Bill's third reading was also passed by a special majority, with 156 votes in favor and 65 votes against. The Bill, with amendments, was subsequently approved. On October 29, 2020, following the Speaker's assent, the Twentieth Constitutional Amendment was officially enacted.
In 2022, following the resignation of President Hon. Gotabaya Rajapaksa due to the prevailing crisis, the Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe, who was appointed as the eighth Executive President, formed a new cabinet. As part of this cabinet, the Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms, introduced the "Twenty-Second Constitutional Amendment" Bill to Parliament on August 10, 2022, to amend the Constitution.
Subsequently, during the debate pertaining to the second reading held on October 20 and 21, the Bill received 179 votes in favor and 1 vote against. During the Committee Stage, amendments were incorporated into the Bill in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling. During the vote for the third, 174 votes were cast in favor, and 1 vote against. Accordingly, the Bill was passed as the "Twenty-First Constitutional Amendment". On October 31, 2022, following the Speaker's assent and, the Twenty-First Constitutional Amendment was officially enacted.
No-confidence motion against the Hon. Udaya Gammanpila, Minister of Power
The no-confidence motion against the Hon. Udaya Gammanpila, Minister of Power, is considered the first no-confidence motion presented in the Ninth Parliament. It was submitted by 43 members of the opposition, including the Opposition Leader, Hon. Sajith Premadasa. The debate on this motion took place on July 19 and 20, 2021. During the subsequent vote, the motion received 61 votes in favor and 152 votes against, resulting in its defeat.
Resolution for the Removal of J.D.B.M.J.P.K. Ratnayake from Office
The resolution for the removal of J.D.B.M.J.P.K. Ratnayake from membership of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission, as per the provisions of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act No. 35 of 2002, was presented by Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister and Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Affairs. The debate on this resolution took place on May 24, 2023, during which the motion received 123 votes in favor and 77 votes against, resulting in the resolution being passed with a majority of 46 votes.
No-confidence motion against Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health.
The no-confidence motion against the Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health, was presented by 45 members of the opposition, including the Opposition Leader, Hon. Sajith Premadasa. The debate on this motion took place for three days, on September 6, 7, and 8, 2023. Following the debate, during the subsequent vote, 113 votes were cast against the motion, while 73 votes were in favor. As a result, the motion was defeated by a majority of 40 votes.
No-confidence motion against the Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker
On March 19, 2024, the Opposition Leader, the Hon. Sajith Premadasa, along with 45 members representing the main opposition, presented a no-confidence motion against Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the Speaker of the Parliament. The debate on this motion took place on March 19, 20, and 21. At the conclusion of the debate, during the subsequent vote, 117 votes were cast against the motion, while only 75 votes were in favor. As a result, the no-confidence motion was defeated in Parliament by a majority of 42 votes. Following this, the Speaker made a special statement.
Amid the political crisis in the country, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned from the presidency on July 14, 2022. Consequently, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, a Member of Parliament was elected to fill the vacant position. Until the said, Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister at the time, served as the acting President.
In this context, in terms of the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981, Parliament convened on July 19 to conduct the election. During this session, Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister and acting President and Members of Parliament Hon. Dullas Alahapperuma, Hon. Anura Dissanayaka were nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Accordingly, for the first time in Parliamentary history, a vote was held in Parliament to elect a President on July 20, 2022. During this voting, the Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the eighth Executive President of the country by a majority. In this secret ballot held, Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe received 134 votes, while Hon. Dullas Alahapperuma received 82 votes and Hon. Anura Dissanayaka received 3 votes.
On August 23, 2023, due to a contentious situation arising from raising supplementary questions related to questions for oral answers in Parliament, Members of Parliament, Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha and Hon. Wasantha Yapabandara, caused clamour. Given the situation, Deputy Speaker Hon. Ajith Rajapakse temporarily suspended the parliamentary session for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the Speaker, Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, who took the chair suspended Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha and Hon. Wasantha Yapabandara from the proceedings of that day.
Furthermore, on October 19, 2023, in light of a chaotic situation that arose during the questions for oral answers in Parliament, the Speaker, the Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, announced that the service term of Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma, would be suspended for four weeks with effect from that day. This action was taken as touching the mace while placed in the bracket of the chamber is considered a serious disciplinary violation under Standing Order 77(3).
Meanwhile, on October 20, 2023, due to an incident reported to have occurred between Members of Parliament, Hon. Diana Gamage, Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, and Hon. Rohana Bandara, their service term was suspended for one month, effective from December 2, 2023 by way of a motion moved in Parliament.
This motion was presented to Parliament on December 2, 2023, based on the recommendations made to Parliament after considering the matter by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. During the voting, 57 votes were cast in favor of the proposal, while 1 vote was against it. Additionally, 3 members were recorded as abstaining from voting on the motion.
Additionally, on May 23, 2023, Member of Parliament Hon. Ali Sabri Raheem was involved in an incident related to the smuggling gold and mobile phones worth more than 70 million rupees into the country through the VIP terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake. Based on the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, his parliamentary service was suspended for a month. The suspension was implemented through a motion in Parliament, citing his misconduct, which was deemed to violate the privileges of Parliament and Members of Parliament, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 118, effective from March 6, 2024, for a duration of one month.
2026-11-12
Second Reading Debate to be held from tomorrow (13) until November 20Committee Stage Debate scheduled from November 21 to December 14The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2027 (Budget Speech) was presented to Parliament today (Nov. 12) by the Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.At around 1.30 p.m., the President arrived in the Chamber from his office in Parliament and commenced presenting the Budget proposals. The Budget Speech continued until 6.30 p.m.A large number of invitees, including foreign ambassadors, senior government officials, heads of the security forces and judges, attended the occasion.The debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2027 (Budget Debate) is scheduled to be held over 26 days, from November 13 to December 14.The Appropriation Bill for 2027, which was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on October 7, 2026, will be taken up for the Second Reading Debate over seven days, from tomorrow (13) until November 20. The vote on the Second Reading of the Budget is scheduled to be held on November 20 at 6.00 p.m.The Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for 2027 is scheduled to be held over 19 days, from November 21 to December 14, including four Saturdays.Thereafter, the vote on the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held on December 14 at 6.00 p.m.
2026-11-12
Supreme Court Determination on the “Sri Lanka Cricket” BillThe Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (Nov. 12) announced in Parliament the determination of the Supreme Court on the “Sri Lanka Cricket” Bill, which had been challenged before the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution.According to the determination, Supreme Court has determined that the Clause 29 of the Bill infringes Article 14(1) (c) of the Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution.However, the inconsistency would cease and the Bill may be passed by a simple majority of Parliament upon the Committee Stage amendment proposed by the Court being made.The Supreme Court has also determined that the Clause 7(1) of the Bill infringes Article 12(1) of the Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution.However, the inconsistency would cease and the Bill may be passed by a simple majority of Parliament upon the Committee Stage amendment proposed by the Court being made.The Supreme Court has further determined that subject to above none of the other provisions in the Bill are inconsistent with any provision in the Constitution.Supreme Court Determination on the “Protection of the State from Terrorism” BillThe Hon. Speaker also informed the Parliament that he has received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Protection of the State from Terrorism” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121 (1) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has determined that the Bill can be passed by simple majority of Parliament after making the following amendments (Three of them already undertaken by the learned Additional Solicitor General) at the Committee Stage:-• Clause 26(2) to be amended by inserting the phrase “on the application of such police officer”, with the above insertion, Clause 26(2) must read as follows:-“Upon the production of a suspect before a Magistrate under subsection (1), where the police officer conducting the investigation has reasonable grounds to believe that further extended custody of the suspect is necessary for the purpose of conducting further investigation, the Magistrate may, on the application of such police officer, for reasons to be recorded in writing, authorize such suspect to be held in police custody for a further period not exceeding twenty-four hours.”;• Clause 59(5)(b) to be amended by substituting the phrase “Court of Appeal” with the “Supreme Court” to make the judicial oversight effective;• Removal of the Clause 60(7) from the Bill on the basis that it is superfluous; and• Clause 66(1) to be re-framed as follows:-“An executive Order, directive or direction issued or made under this Act may be questioned in proceedings under Article 126, 140 or 141 of the Constitution.”Supreme Court Determination on the “Immigration” BillThe Hon. Speaker further informed the Parliament that he has received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Immigration” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.The Supreme Court has determined that,• Clause 43(3), in its present form, is inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(i) of the Constitution. However, this inconsistency would cease if Clause 43(3) is replaced and a new Clause 43(4) is inserted in the terms set out in the Determination of the Supreme Court.• Clause 169, in its present form, is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution, having regard also to Article 76. However, this inconsistency would cease if Clauses 169(1) and 169(3) are amended in the manner specified in the Determination of the Supreme Court.• Clauses 45 and 65, in their present form, are inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution. However, these inconsistencies would cease if Clause 45(1) is amended and the proposed provision concerning the costs of immigration facilities is inserted with appropriate numbering, as set out in the Determination of the Supreme Court.• There is no other inconsistency with the Constitution on the grounds considered. Also, the Supreme Court records the undertaking to amend Clause 174 by deleting the word “written”.• Where the amendments necessary to remove the identified inconsistencies are not effected, the relevant provisions would require the special majority prescribed by Article 84(2) of the Constitution.
2026-11-11
Mr. Davis Myers, Chargé d’Affaires / Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Rizvie Salih, recently. The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present on the occasion.The Hon. Deputy Speaker warmly welcomed Mr. Myers and reaffirmed the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and the United States of America. He expressed his sincere appreciation for the continued support extended by the Government of the United States, particularly during challenging periods, and acknowledged the assistance provided through USAID towards strengthening Parliamentary affairs and institutional capacities.During the meeting, the Secretary General of Parliament highlighted the recent visit of Hon. Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka to the US Congress conducted through the collaboration of the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka and the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO). She also recalled the various forms of assistance extended to Parliament, including initiatives aimed at strengthening Parliamentary outreach programmes through USAID.Mr. Davis Myers reaffirmed his commitment to continuing and further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. He also commended the beauty and architectural significance of the Parliament building, as well as the natural beauty of Sri Lanka.Both parties engaged in cordial discussions on matters of mutual interest, including maritime security and measures to combat the drug menace.Mr. Myers also participated in a guided tour of the Parliament building, during which he was briefed on its architectural features and Parliamentary facilities.Ms. Rachel Huggins, Political Officer of the US Embassy, Ms. Nazreen Marikkar, and Political Specialist of the US Embassy were also present on this occasion.
2026-11-11
The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, stated that a sum of Rs. 18,058,884 has been allocated this year for the conservation of 846 sites of archaeological significance identified so far in the Anuradhapura District. Accordingly, the figures tabled in Parliament indicate that this includes Rs. 12,609,034 allocated under departmental grants and Rs. 5,449,850 provided through external funding.The Minister made these remarks in response to questions raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Susantha Kumara Navarathna, who sought oral answers.The Minister further stated that measures have been taken to protect and conserve these archaeological sites, taking into consideration the significance of each site, the nature of potential threats, its location and the relevant legal framework. Accordingly, the measures undertaken include carrying out the monitoring affairs of sites, security affairs, establishment of safety fences, boundary posts, taking legal action, carry out the exploration activities, maintenance, preservative, excavations and conservation activities.
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