The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced to the House today that he endorsed the certificate on three Bills on 17.12.2025. Accordingly, the Hon. Speaker endorsed the certificate on the Bills titled Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment), the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment), and the Strategic Development Projects (Amendment).
The primary purpose of the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill was to amend the Social Security Contribution Levy Act, No. 25 of 2022. The Bill was presented to Parliament on 09.10.2025, and the Bill was passed in Parliament on 05.12.2025.
The Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill, duly passed on 05.12.2025, aimed to amend Section 2 of the principal enactment. Accordingly, amendments to the Bill aimed to limit the gross collection of ten per centum to have been applicable only for the time period from April 1, 2023, to October 1, 2025, increase the gross collection levy from persons carrying on a business of bookmaker or business of gambling to eighteen per centum from October 1, 2025, and increase the casino entrance levy from persons who are citizens of Sri Lanka to United States Dollars one hundred.
The Strategic Development Projects (Amendment) Bill, presented to Parliament on 14.11.2025, was passed in Parliament on 05.12.2025 for the purpose of amending the Strategic Development Projects Act, No. 14 of 2008. Accordingly, said amendments included reducing the maximum tax holiday period from twenty-five years to ten years and mandating a new process for project identification, the Board of Investment (BOI) identifying a project and referring it to the Ministry of Finance for a mandatory ex-ante cost-benefit analysis before any tax holiday or concession was granted, establishing new requirements for ex-post monitoring by the BOI, including the authority to impose administrative penalties or restrict or revoke exemptions for non-compliance with key performance indicators, requiring tax returns to be filed, and mandating the Ministry of Finance to publish an annual report on tax expenditures related to these projects.
Accordingly, the said three Bills will come into force as the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Act, No. 24 of 2025, the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2025, and the Strategic Development Projects (Amendment) Act, No. 26 of 2025.
2026-08-03
U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan recently paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih at the Parliament premises.During the meeting, the two sides engaged in cordial discussions on a range of matters of mutual interest, including the prevailing security situation, efforts to eradicate the drug menace, and rehabilitation programmes.The Hon. Deputy Speaker expressed appreciation for the continued assistance extended by the United States, particularly acknowledging the recent technical assistance provided to the Parliament of Sri Lanka through the U.S. House Democracy Partnership Program.Acting Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyratne and officials of the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka were also present at the meeting.
2026-07-31
The Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, met with Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC) Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, recently at the Parliament premises.During the meeting, Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal handed over the official invitation addressed to the Hon. Speaker from H.E the President of the Kingdom of Cambodia, inviting him to participate in the 2nd Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC), which is scheduled to be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia from 26 to 28 August 2026.The conference will be held under the theme, "Solidarity for Peace and Shared Prosperity: Strengthening Internal Law and Resolving Conflicts Peacefully."During the cordial discussion, Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne observed that the conference theme is both timely and highly relevant in the present global context. The discussions also focused on the activities and future initiatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC), reaffirming the importance of strengthening Parliamentary cooperation in promoting peace, the rule of law, and shared prosperity.The Secretary General of Parliament, Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, Executive Director of International Affairs of the ISC Mr. Saito Hajime and Secretary General of UPF Sri Lanka Dr. Chula Senaratne, were also present at the meeting.
2026-07-30
The Hon. Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Dr. Rizvie Salih, emphasized that public representatives should be sent to Parliament as statesmen rather than politicians. He noted that politicians work with the next election in mind, whereas statesmen work with the welfare of future generations in mind.The Hon. Deputy Speaker made these remarks while attending, as the Chief Guest, the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament of St. Joseph's Girls' School, Kegalle, held recently at the Old Parliament Chamber located within the Presidential Secretariat.The programme was jointly organized by the Presidential Secretariat, the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and the Ministry of Education with the objective of providing students of St. Joseph's Girls' College with practical exposure to Parliamentary proceedings and a better understanding of the democratic system of governance.Addressing the gathering, the Hon. Deputy Speaker said: "It is impossible to imagine the consequences for a country where people do not respect the law. Parliament is responsible for enacting the laws the country needs. Therefore, those elected to Parliament must be people who respect the law and are themselves subject to it. Only such individuals can enact laws that truly serve the nation.Respect your teachers, who dedicate their utmost efforts to turning your dreams into reality. Listen to them carefully and continue to seek their guidance and blessings. Even if you achieve great success in the future, the teachers who educated you will always remain your teachers.Whatever profession you choose, do it with passion. Take pride in your work and respect it. Above all, be honest in carrying out your responsibilities.Parents are the only people who genuinely wish for their children to surpass them. Respect the parents who nurture and support you. Children naturally follow the example set by their parents, so it is the responsibility of parents to be role models. Respecting the law instills the values of a law-abiding citizen. As you leave this place today, resolve to become citizens who uphold and respect the law."The Hon. Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi also addressed the event, stating: "In recent years, Parliamentary traditions were misused in ways that went against the people's mandate, resulting in public disillusionment. Those in power used Parliamentary privileges to retain power and protect corrupt individuals. The Government is committed to restoring Parliament as an institution that is accountable to the people's mandate and guided by responsibility, discipline, restraint and exemplary conduct.The students of St. Joseph's Girls' College conducted an outstanding Parliamentary session today. It gives us confidence that the country has a bright future. One day, you will take on the responsibility of governing this country and fulfilling your duty to the generations that follow."The Director of Legislative Services of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, also briefed the students on the principal sources that guide Parliamentary proceedings.The inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament commenced with the election of the Student Speaker, followed by the administration of oaths to the student members. Student ministers then presented the programmes and development proposals they intend to implement within the school through their respective ministries.Certificates were presented to the participating students by the Hon. Deputy Speaker and other distinguished guests. At the conclusion of the programme, the Principal of St. Joseph's Girls' College, Ms. Gangani Thilakaratne Menike, delivered the vote of thanks. The student parliamentarians, teachers and distinguished guests also posed for a group photograph.The programme was successfully organized as another initiative under the Student Parliament Programme jointly conducted by the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.Among those present were Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, Director General of Public Relations at the Presidential Secretariat; Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla, Assistant Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit of the Presidential Secretariat; Mr. Samantha Mallawarachchi, Director (Communication) of Parliament of Sri Lanka; as well as teachers, parents and students of St. Joseph's Girls' School, Kegalle.
2026-07-30
Parliament will meet from August 4 to 7.The parliamentary business for the week was decided at a recent meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Except for Wednesday, August 5, when time has been allocated for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, each sitting day, 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).Tuesday, August 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to debate and approve the Supplementary Estimate relating to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education; and the determination of Salary of the Auditor General.From 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., time has been allocated for Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Government.Wednesday, August 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., time will be allocated for Parliamentary business under Standing Orders 22(1)–22(6). From 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., has been set aside for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, followed by Questions for Oral Answers from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) will be taken from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m..From 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Parliament will hold an Adjournment Debate, moved by the Opposition, on the Report of the Committee on Public Finance concerning the fraud linked to cybercrime in relation to the US$2.5 million debt repayment to Australia.Thursday, August 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to hold the Second Reading debate on the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Bill; andAnimals (Amendment) Bill, provided the bills are not challenged before the Supreme Court under Article 121 of the Constitution.From 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., time has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.Friday, August 7, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the following Private Members' Motions are scheduled to be debated:Name of the Hon. Member of ParliamentTitle of the Private Member MotionKanthasamy PrabuPromoting self-sufficiency in milk productionHector AppuhamyFormulation of a programme for the protection of mangrove ecosystemsM.S. UthumalebbeExpanding the railway line from Batticaloa to Pottuvil or the railway line from Matara to KalmunaiImran MaharoofEstablishment of a Commission to Investigate the Unilateral and Forced Cremation of the Remains of Deceased Muslims During the COVID-19 PandemicDayasiri JayasekaraFormulation of a system to stop the ripening of fruits using chemicalsSusantha Kumara NawarathnaFormulation of a National Policy and Methodology for the Wildlife Management in Sri LankaShanakiyan Rajaputhiran RasamanickamEstablishment of a special Development Fund dedicated to reduce regional disparities in developmentThereafter, the period from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.
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