The Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 500 billion to restore the livelihoods of those affected by the sudden disaster situation, presented to Parliament yesterday for the approval of Parliament, was approved in Parliament today (Dec. 19).
The said Supplementary Estimate was presented to Parliament yesterday (18) by the Hon. Prime Minister.
Accordingly, following the debate held today from 10.00 a.m. to 6.10 p.m., the Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 500 billion was approved without a vote.
2025-12-24
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him". Accordingly, this joyful Christmas season, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, symbolizes the meanings of love, sacrifice and mercy, is a beautiful occasion full of blessings for Sri Lankan Christians.The true meaning of Christmas is to emphasize humanity and loving sacrifice and to open the spiritual paths necessary for such a life.However, we celebrate Christmas after facing a major disaster as a whole nation this year. Many of our loved ones in various parts of the country are already suffering at this time. Although this disaster has shocked us as a country, the sacrifice and human love shown by all Sri Lankans for each other, regardless of religion, race or party, is admirable. I believe this is an expression of human love that reveals the true meaning of Christmas.Accordingly, this Christmas season is a time to overcome all challenges, to rise again as a nation, to share with everyone the love of humanity revealed to the world by Jesus Christ, and to achieve peace. Wishing you all a happy, prosperous and blessed Christmas.Dr. Jagath WickramaratneSpeakerParliament of Sri Lanka
2025-12-18
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.
2025-12-18
Hon. Member of the French Senate Ms. Samantha Cazebonne met with Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne recently (Dec. 16) at Parliament.The meeting was attended by the Secretary General of Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, the French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr. Rémi Lambert, and a delegation representing France.Expressing his views at the outset, Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne stated that the Government is taking swift action to enable Sri Lanka to recover and return to normalcy following the largest disaster situation the country has faced due to adverse weather conditions. He also conveyed his gratitude to the Government of France for the support extended to Sri Lanka in response to this disaster situation.The Hon. Speaker further stated that the unity demonstrated by the Sri Lankan people in the face of this disaster has once again been showcased to the world. He also noted that through the “Rebuild Sri Lanka” programme, opportunities have been created for the international community to contribute towards rebuilding the country.Recalling the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and France, the Hon. Speaker pointed out that this relationship was further strengthened by the official visit of the President of France to Sri Lanka in 2023.Expressing her views, Hon. Member of the French Senate Ms. Samantha Cazebonne conveyed her condolences regarding the sudden disaster situation in Sri Lanka and stated that the Government of France would extend its support to Sri Lanka. She further mentioned that France, together with the European Union, has already taken steps to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, and that additional humanitarian aid from the French Government is scheduled to be delivered to Sri Lanka in the coming days.Ms. Samantha Cazebonne also highlighted the strong humanitarian values evident among Sri Lankan citizens and pointed out how this could be leveraged to promote the country’s tourism sector. Furthermore, she requested the Hon. Speaker to provide the necessary support to further strengthen and advance the French International School currently operating in Sri Lanka. In response, the Hon. Speaker stated that the request would be referred to the Ministry of Education for consideration.Ms. Samantha Cazebonne also inquired about prevailing societal attitudes towards women in Sri Lanka. Responding to this, the Hon. Speaker stated that positive attitudes towards women exist in Sri Lanka and that all necessary measures are being taken to empower women and enable them to move forward confidently. He further noted that, for the first time, an independent commission for women has also been established.During the meeting, Hon. Member of the French Senate Ms. Samantha Cazebonne extended an invitation to the Hon. Speaker to participate in the Global Peace Summit scheduled to be held in Paris in 2026, as well as to undertake an official visit to France. She also invited him to observe the functioning and parliamentary procedures of the French Parliament, noting that it would be a valuable opportunity to directly experience France’s legislative traditions.
2025-12-18
A high-level delegation from the People’s Republic of China, led by H.E. Wang Dongming, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (SCNPC), met with the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliamentary premises yesterday (Dec. 17).Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih; Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House of Parliament, and the President of the Sri Lanka–China Parliamentary Friendship Association, Bimal Rathnayake; Hon. Member of Parliament and Chief Opposition Whip, Gayantha Karunathilleka; Hon. Lu Xinshe, Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the National People’s Congress; Hon. Wang Ke, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Deputy Head of the China–Sri Lanka Friendship Group of the National People’s Congress; Hon. Tan Tianxing, Vice Chairman of the Social Development Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, along with other members of the Chinese delegation were present at the meeting. The Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera; and the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, were also in attendance.During the discussions, Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne highlighted the deep-rooted and enduring relationship between Sri Lanka and China. He noted that the visit of the high-level Chinese parliamentary delegation underscored the importance that China places on parliamentary diplomacy and reflected the strength of the longstanding partnership between the two countries. The Hon. Speaker briefed the delegation on the aftermath of the recent disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah and extended Sri Lanka’s sincere gratitude to the Government and people of China for the timely support and assistance extended during this period.Addressing the meeting, the Vice Chairman, H.E. Wang Dongming, expressed his appreciation for the invitation to visit Sri Lanka and reaffirmed China’s commitment to further strengthening parliamentary exchanges and bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He stated that China stands ready to support Sri Lanka in achieving its economic and social development goals as a close and friendly neighbour. He further reaffirmed China’s support for the Government of Sri Lanka in overcoming the challenges posed by the recent disaster situation.H.E. Wang Dongming also recalled the recent visit of the President of Sri Lanka to China and noted that it serves as a new strategic guide for bilateral relations between the two countries. Furthermore, he expressed China’s readiness to work closely with Sri Lanka in the fields of economic cooperation, education, culture, and tourism, with a view to delivering mutual benefits to both nations.Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne also reiterated Sri Lanka’s appreciation for China’s continued support extended at bilateral, regional, and international levels.
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