2025-07-15
Representatives of the European Union’s INTER PARES Global Project have expressed their willingness to share knowledge and expertise to enhance the capacity of the Parliament of Sri Lanka particularly in the areas of legislation, oversight, financial accountability, and administration.
These remarks were made during a meeting with Assistant Secretary General Mr. Hansa Abeyratne at the Parliament on the final day of a four-day program (held from July 7–11), aimed at strengthening the country’s parliamentary processes.
The delegation, led by Dr. Jonathan Murphy, Head of the INTER PARES Global Project, engaged with various departmental heads and officials of the Parliament of Sri Lanka during their visit. The discussions focused on gathering insights and data to identify areas for future collaboration. The delegation emphasized its intention to provide technical assistance and support through targeted initiatives aimed at strengthening parliamentary functions.
The discussions emphasized several priority areas for support, including the enhancement of budget oversight mechanisms, the promotion of the “open parliament” concept through increased citizen participation, and the integration of key themes such as disability inclusion, gender equality, and climate change. The delegation noted that it intends to offer continued support through various initiatives, including workshops, capacity-building programs, and parliamentary exchange efforts designed to strengthen these areas.
On the first day of the program, the delegation met with the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, and Assistant Secretary General Mr. Hansa Abeyratne. During this meeting, the Secretary General provided a comprehensive overview of the functioning of Parliament, while the Assistant Secretary General presented insights into the operations of the Parliamentary Budget Office.
The delegation also engaged with officials from the Department of Communications, including Director of Legislative Services and Director Communication (Acting) Mr. M. Jayalath Perera. Discussions focused on the critical role played by the Media and Public Services Divisions in fostering stronger engagement between Parliament and the public.
Further interactions were held with officials from the Department of Legislative Services, as well as the Table Office and the Bills Office of Parliament. These sessions provided the delegation with a detailed understanding of the legislative process, including the progression from the drafting of a bill to its enactment as law, and the functioning of the parliamentary committee system.
During their visit, the delegation also met with several committee chairs. These included Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chair of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF); Hon. Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, Chair of the Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE); Hon. Aravinda Senarath, Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA); Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities; Hon. Minister Saroja Savitri Paulraj, Chair of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus; Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate and Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate. These meetings included comprehensive briefings on the roles, ongoing activities, achievements, and challenges of the respective committees and caucuses.
The delegation also visited the Library and Research Divisions of Parliament, holding discussions with the Librarian, Mr. Siyath Ahemed, and the Head of the Research Division, Ms. Ayesha Godagama, to better understand the support services available to Members of Parliament.
2026-11-14
A number of measures taken with the aim of providing sustainable solutions to prevent elephants from being killed in train collisions have been presented to Parliament. These initiatives aim to reduce elephant deaths caused by train collisions through improved railway infrastructure, staff awareness, habitat management and the introduction of modern surveillance and detection technologies.These details were revealed in the written response of the Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Dhammika Patabendi tabled, to questions raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, seeking oral answers.According to the response tabled in Parliament, the following measures have been implemented:Advanced train sets have been introduced on the Eastern Railway Line of the Sri Lanka Railways Department to improve visibility on both sides of the railway track and enable train drivers to control speed more effectively, and A 27-kilometre stretch of railway track, extending from Gal Oya Junction towards Hingurakgoda and from Gal Oya Junction towards Kantale, has been identified as an area frequently crossed by elephants. A total of 800 concrete blocks have been laid between the railway sleepers to fill the gaps and make it easier for wild elephants to cross the tracks.Since elephants roaming in certain areas, particularly around railway bends, are not easily visible to train drivers, undergrowth has been cleared within a distance of 10 to 20 metres from the railway tracks. Under this initiative, the Department of Forest Conservation has cleared vegetation along 20 Kilometres of railway track.Awareness programmes were conducted on 16 and 17 May 2025 for train drivers, station masters, railway engineers responsible for railway tracks, and assistant train drivers.An allocation of Rs. 25.4 million has been provided to the Department of Irrigation for the construction and improvement of two tanks within the Forest Conservation Reserve encountered when travelling towards Kantale beyond Habarana Railway Station. These tanks are located at a considerable distance from the railway line and will provide alternative water sources for elephants.CCTV cameras have been installed at location 141, Kasikote, between Gal Oya and Minneriya where elephants cross railway tracks. These cameras are monitored through the Anuradhapura Operations Control Centre to observe elephant movements and improve railway safety. Furthermore, a pilot project has been initiated to install thermal detector cameras on trains to identify wild elephants. Continuous testing and research are being carried out jointly by the Sri Lanka Railways Department and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies.According to the response tabled, a total of 81 elephants have died after being hit by trains between 2020 and October 12, 2026
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.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
