2024-11-21
News Categories : News
• Dr. Rizvie Salih was elected as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament
• Hon. Hemali Weerasekara was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairpersons of Committees
Dr. Ashoka Ranwala, Member of Parliament representing the National People's Power (NPP), has been unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka. The name of Dr. Ranwala was proposed by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and was seconded by Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath.
Thereafter, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath, who proposed and seconded the name of the Speaker respectively, was escorted to the Speaker’s Chair in accordance with the traditions of Parliament. The Speaker delivered a brief vote of thanks pertaining to his appointment followed by the Speaker taking his official oath in front of the Secretary General. Following the election of the Speaker, Members of Parliament were sworn in and took their official oaths.
Congratulatory remarks on being elected as Speaker were extended by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Hon. Sajith Premadasa, and Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Hon. Rauff Hakeem.
In his address, the Speaker expressed his commitment to safeguarding the independence and dignity of Parliament as the supreme legislative body of the nation. He pledged to uphold the Parliamentary traditions and procedures while striving to create a model, Parliament. Furthermore, the Speaker sought the cooperation of all Members of Parliament to ensure the institution operates effectively embodying the new political culture expected by the public. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of a well-structured Parliamentary Committee system and called on all Members to conduct themselves with decorum and discipline during Parliamentary proceedings.
Dr. Ashoka Ranwala, represents the Gampaha District and entered Parliament following the most recent General Election. Beginning his political career as a member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Dr. Ranwala currently serves as a member of the National Executive Committee of the NPP. Dr. Ranwala completed his primary education at Yatiyana Primary School and his secondary education at Henegama Central College. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa and a doctorate in Biochemistry from Waseda University, Japan. Dr. Ranwala has also previously served as a member of the Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha and the Western Provincial Council.
Moreover, Dr. Rizvie Salih was elected as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. His name was proposed by the Chief Government Whip, Hon. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and was seconded by Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj. Dr. Rizvie Salih, a longstanding medical professional and member of the NPP's National Executive Committee, was elected to Parliament representing the Colombo District during the 2024 General Election.
Furthermore, Hon. Hemali Weerasekara was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairpersons of Committees. Her nomination was proposed by Hon. Minister Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, and was seconded by Hon. Samanmalee Gunasinghe. Representing the Gampaha District, under the NPP, Hon. Weerasekara is a former member of the Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha and a professional laboratory technician. She completed her education at Yasodara Vidyalaya, Colombo and Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo. Hon. Weerasekara has been an active member of the NPP’s district and women’s executive committees.
2026-06-19
The Acting Secretary General of Parliament, Mr. Hansa Abeyratne, stated that Parliament is scheduled to meet from June 23 to 26, 2026. This decision was taken at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. On each sitting day, time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, and from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Accordingly, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to debate the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), two Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette Nos. 2482/09 and 2487/02 under the Special Commodity Levy Act, and Regulations published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2487/29 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, for approval. Thereafter, at 5.00 p.m., the Online Safety (Repeal) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill presented by Hon. Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, will be taken up for second reading and referred to the Legislative Standing Committee for consideration. (No debate will be held on this matter.)Following this, the time from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for a Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Opposition.On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to hold the Second Reading debate on the National Environmental (Amendment) Bill. The time from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been set aside for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., an Adjournment Debate on combating the drug menace will be held in accordance with a motion to be moved by the Government.On Friday, June 26, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m., Parliament will debate for approval an Order published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2478/41 under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act.Subsequently, the Adjournment Motion on combating the drug menace, moved by the Government on June 25, 2026, will continue to be debated from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
2026-06-19
A week-long technical assistance mission on “Strengthening Budgetary and Economic Analysis in Parliament” was successfully conducted at the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 8th to 12th June 2026 in collaboration with the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) of the United States Congress.The programme focused on enhancing parliamentary capacity in fiscal oversight, budgetary analysis, and evidence-based policymaking, while supporting ongoing discussions on the possible establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) in Sri Lanka.The visiting delegation from the United States Congress comprised Ms. Meagan Moore of the House Democracy Partnership and Ms. Megan Carroll and Ms. Christi Hawley Anthony of the Congressional Budget Office. Representatives of the United States Embassy in Sri Lanka, including U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Jayne Howell, also participated in the programme.The programme engaged Members of Parliament, Parliamentary committee staff, senior officials of Parliament and representatives of key state institutions involved in public finance and economic governance.The delegation met with the Hon. Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera and held discussions on strengthening parliamentary oversight, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting evidence-based fiscal decision-making. During these engagements, the importance of capacity-building initiatives, public engagement, effective committee oversight and strengthening parliamentary support services was emphasized.The delegation also met with the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, and discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen Parliament's role in public finance oversight, including initiatives aimed at enhancing independent fiscal and budgetary analysis for Members of Parliament.An introductory session for Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff was conducted under the auspices of the Sri Lanka - United States Parliamentary Friendship Association. The session was attended by the Vice President of the Association, Hon. Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena, Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, the Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Parliamentary officials and committee staff. During the programme, the United States delegation delivered presentations on the institutional role and functions of the Congressional Budget Office, including its support for the congressional budget process, preparation of legislative cost estimates, budget and economic forecasting, and the principles of transparency, credibility, and nonpartisanship that underpin its work.The series of interactive sessions enabled Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff to exchange views on fiscal oversight, budget scrutiny, economic analysis, and international best practices relating to legislative budget institutions. Specialized sessions for Parliamentary committee staff examined analytical methodologies, research support functions, the use of technology and artificial intelligence in budget analysis and strategies for strengthening collaboration between Parliament and oversight institutions.The delegation also observed proceedings of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) session with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, the session was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and other officials. The meeting provided firsthand insight into Sri Lanka's parliamentary financial oversight mechanisms and stakeholder engagement practices.The programme concluded with a consolidation workshop during which participants developed a preliminary roadmap outlining possible short, medium, and long-term steps towards the establishment and operationalization of a Parliamentary Budget Office in Sri Lanka. The technical assistance mission marked an important step in strengthening parliamentary capacity in fiscal oversight and budgetary analysis and further enhanced cooperation between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and its international partners in promoting accountable, transparent, and evidence - based governance.
2026-06-17
The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, endorsed the certificate on the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill today (Jun. 17).The Bill was first read in Parliament on 17 March 2026 and was subsequently passed by Parliament following a debate held on 6 May 2026. The Act provides for the amendment of the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Act, the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, and the Mediation Boards Act, No. 72 of 1988, while repealing the Insolvency Ordinance (Chapter 97).The Act introduces specific procedures relating to personal insolvency, including provisions for debt protection, moratoria, and debt restructuring, while ensuring the protection of a debtor’s reasonable income and essential assets.In addition, the legislation addresses matters relating to corporate governance, receivership, and cross-border insolvency, with a view to enhancing predictability and confidence in the credit market.The Act is also intended to provide a fresh start for honest individual debtors and establish a structured mechanism for the rehabilitation of distressed but fundamentally viable companies.Accordingly, the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill shall come into force as the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Act, No. 12 of 2026.
2026-06-12
Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih emphasized that the student community, who are the leaders of tomorrow, must respect their elders, safeguard ethical values, and act as honest citizens.The Deputy Speaker made these remarks while participating as the Special Guest at the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament of Vidyartha College, Kandy, held recently at the historic Old Parliament Chamber located within the Presidential Secretariat.The programme was jointly organized by Vidyartha College, Kandy, the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communications of the Parliament of Sri Lanka with the objective of providing students with practical exposure to parliamentary affairs and an understanding of the democratic governance process.Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Speaker stated that it is essential to cultivate discipline, responsibility, and leadership qualities from the student stage itself. He further noted that the public also has an important role to play in ensuring that individuals elected as representatives of the people become ethical, responsible and law-abiding persons.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, explained the services provided by the President’s Fund for students and the general public. He stated that assistance could be obtained through the President’s Fund for various needs, including educational requirements and that these services have been brought closer to the people through Divisional Secretariat offices.Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, Director of Legislative Services of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, briefed the students on the structure, functions, and parliamentary procedures of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.Mr. Chandana Sooriyabandara, Media Adviser to the President, spoke on the importance of developing the knowledge and skills required to successfully face the competitive world in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).Thereafter, the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament commenced, during which the Speaker was elected and Members took their oaths. Students holding ministerial portfolios presented to the House the programmes and development proposals they expected to implement within the school through their respective ministries.Certificates were also presented to the participating students by the Hon. Deputy Speaker and other distinguished guests. At the conclusion of the programme, Mr. M.A.S. Srilal, Principal of Vidyartha College, delivered the vote of thanks.The programme was organized as another successful step in the series of Student Parliament programmes jointly implemented by the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Air Commodore Asiri Gallage, Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit of the Presidential Secretariat, Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla, Assistant Director, Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, Director (Communication) of Parliament, as well as members of the teaching staff, parents, and students of Vidyartha College were also present at the occasion.
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