2025-11-07
News Categories : News
The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 (the Budget Speech) was presented to Parliament today (Nov. 07) by Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.
At around 1.30 p.m. today, in keeping with tradition, the Hon. President arrived at the Chamber from the Office of the President within the Parliament premises, preceded by the Serjeant-at-Arms. Subsequently, the Budget proposals were presented until 5.50 p.m.
This budget, the second of the new government, will go down in history as the 80th budget of independent Sri Lanka. Foreign ambassadors, Governors, high-ranking government officials, heads of forces, judges and many other guests attended the event.
The debate on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 is scheduled to be held over a period of six days, from November 8 to November 14. Thereafter, the vote on the Second Reading of the Budget will be taken on November 14 at 6.00 p.m.
Subsequently, the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 is scheduled to be held for 17 days, including three Saturdays, from November 15 to December 5. Following that, the vote on the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill will be held on December 5 at 6.00 p.m.
Accordingly, the entire Budget debate is scheduled to be held from November 8 to December 5, 2025.
2026-02-19
Speaker Endorses the certificate on Two BillsThe Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne informed Parliament yesterday (Feb. 18) that he had certified two Bills titled “Licensing of Container Depot Operators” and “Licensing of Shipping Agents, Freight Forwarders, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers and Container Operators (Amendment)” on 17.02.2026.Through this amendment, the Act No. 10 of 1972 on Licensing of Shipping Agents, Freight Forwarders, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers and Container Operators is revised.Accordingly, container operators, which are currently considered a specialized sector, will no longer be regulated under the above Act. Instead, they will be regulated under Licensing of Container Depot Operators Act. All other shipping service providers will continue to be governed under the existing Act.All currently valid licenses issued to container operators, as well as pending applications under consideration, will automatically transition into the new regulatory framework, thereby ensuring continuity in operations and commercial activities within the sector.Accordingly, the above Bill passed on 05.02.2026 will come into force as the Licensing of Shipping Agents, Freight Forwarders, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers and Container Operators (Amendment) Act, No. 4 of 2026.Furthermore, the Licensing of Container Depot Operators Bill passed by Parliament on 05.02.2026 provides for the regulation and control of container operators’ businesses in Sri Lanka. It stipulates that any person operating such a business must possess a valid license issued by the Director General of Merchant Shipping.This will come into force as the Licensing of Container Depot Operators Act, No. 03 of 2026.Dr. Upali Pannilage Appointed to Parliamentary Select CommitteeThe Hon. Speaker also announced that the Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, Member of Parliament, has been appointed to serve in the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and Report to Parliament on the release of 323 Containers from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 106 of the Parliament, to fill the vacancy occurred due to the resignation of the Hon. Minister Anura Karunathilaka, from the Membership of the Committee.
2026-02-17
Speaker endorses the certificate on the BillThe Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Feb. 17) with a majority of 152 votes.Following the Second Reading debate on the Bill, held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today, the Minister of Justice and National Integration called for a division. Accordingly, 154 votes were cast in favour of the Bill and 2 votes against.During the Committee Stage that followed, Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake and Chamara Sampath Dassanayake proposed amendments to section 3 of the Bill. The Minister of Justice and National Integration informed the House that the amendments would not be accepted. Thereafter, Hon. Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake requested a division on his proposed amendment. At the vote, 152 votes were cast in favour of passing section 3 without amendment, while 4 votes were cast in favour of the proposed amendment.Hon. Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake also proposed an amendment to section 4 of the Bill. The Minister informed the House that this amendment too would not be accepted. The Bill was subsequently passed without amendments following the Third Reading.The Bill was first presented to Parliament by the Minister of Justice and National Integration on 07 January 2026 for its First Reading.The Bill also received the endorsement of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today. Accordingly, it will come into force as the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Act, No. 5 of 2026.This Act repeals the Parliamentary Pensions Law, No. 1 of 1977. In terms of section 3 of the new Act, any person who is entitled to receive a pension or is in receipt of a pension under the provisions preceding the date of commencement of this Act, shall, on and after the date of commencement of this Act, cease to receive such pension.
2026-02-12
A Parliamentary Delegation from Sri Lanka, led by the Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih, MP, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees, participated in the 7th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Asia Regional Conference , 2nd Joint CPA Asia Camp; South-East Asia Regional Conference, held from 3–7 February 2026 in Karachi, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, hosted by the Provincial Assembly of Sindh under the theme “Parliaments of the Future: Redefining Democracy through Trust, Inclusion, Innovation and Peace.”The Sri Lankan delegation comprised the Hon. Arkam Ilyas, MP, Deputy Minister of Power; the Hon. Ajith Agalakada, MP; the Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake, MP; and the Hon. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, MP. The Opening Ceremony held on 3rd February 2026 was graced by the Hon. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, and the conference brought together Presiding Officers, Parliamentarians and Parliamentary officials from across Asia and South-East Asia, including representatives from Pakistan, Maldives and Malaysia and several provincial and state legislatures.During Plenary Session I on “Peace and Democratic Trust: Parliaments as Engines of Reconciliation,” the Hon. Deputy Speaker (Dr.) Rizvie Salih highlighted Sri Lanka’s experience in rebuilding democratic trust following recent economic and political challenges. He emphasized that modern Parliaments must function as institutions that listen, promote dialogue and strengthen accountability through transparency, inclusive oversight committees, anti-corruption mechanisms and youth engagement, noting that reconciliation and trust are essential foundations for lasting peace and democratic stability.At the breakout session on “Parliamentary Education: Inculcating Democratic Principles in Everyday Living,” the Deputy Speaker explained Sri Lanka’s structured civic education framework, student Parliament programmes, youth Parliament initiatives and public outreach activities of Parliament, underscoring the importance of educating citizens from school level to adulthood on democratic governance and Parliamentary accountability.The Hon. Arkam Ilyas, MP, Deputy Minister of Power; the Hon. Ajith Agalakada, MP; the Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake, MP; and the Hon. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, MP participated in the sessions on the topics “Parliaments as Vanguards of Peaceful and Harmonious Societies: The Rise of Fake News, AI and Misinformation”, “Legislating for Survival: Climate Resilience and Vulnerable Voices”, and “Gender, Tech and Trust: Protecting Women Leaders from Online Violence and Digital Manipulation”, and made contributions.At the Closing Ceremony, the Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih, MP, Deputy Speaker and the Chair of Committees, delivered the Vote of Thanks, expressing appreciation to the CPA Asia Region, the CPA Sindh Branch and the Parliament of Pakistan for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements. He noted that the conference provided a valuable platform for dialogue and peer learning, reaffirmed the importance of strong Parliaments in safeguarding democratic values, and emphasized the need to carry forward the spirit of cooperation and shared commitment fostered in Karachi for the benefit of citizens across the Commonwealth.The Conference concluded with the adoption of the Karachi Declaration, in which participating delegations reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic governance, constitutionalism, Parliamentary accountability, inclusivity, responsible innovation and sustainable peace, while recognizing the need for transparent, participatory and forward looking Parliaments to address challenges such as declining public trust, misinformation, social exclusion, climate vulnerability and rapid technological change through cooperation and Parliamentary diplomacy.
2026-02-10
Applications have been called from interested individuals to fill the forthcoming vacancies in the post of Member of the Audit Service Commission under Article 41B of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.Accordingly, under Article 153A of the Constitution, the Constitutional Council shall recommend suitable individuals to the Hon. President for the following appointments in the post of Member of the Audit Service Commission:i. two retired officers of the Auditor-General’s Department, who have held office as a Deputy Auditor-General or above;ii. a retired judge of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal or the High Court of Sri Lanka; andiii. a retired Class I officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service.The applications should be prepared in accordance with the application form, which is available on the website of Parliament of Sri Lanka with a quick link named ‘Appointment to the post of Member of the Audit Service Commission’. The duly completed applications should be sent to; Acting Secretary-General to the Constitutional Council, Constitutional Council – Office, Parliament of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte on or before 20 February 2026 by registered post or by email to constitutionalcouncil@parliament.lk ‘Appointment to the post of Member of the Audit Service Commission’ should be indicated on the top left-hand corner of the envelope, or as the subject of the email.
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