As we emerge as a nation with new hopes, we welcome the year 2026 with renewed confidence and determination.
The past year has been a pivotal year for our country as we have been able to set foot on many new paths for the future well-being of the nation.
Furthermore, the shocks of the massive natural disaster we faced in late 2025 have not yet subsided within society. As a country and as a society, the support shown by all the people to our loved ones who were affected by that disaster, and the immense sacrifices made by government officials to rebuild people's lives, are an opportunity to demonstrate the humanity we have cultivated as a society. I believe that such natural disasters test our humanity. As we usher in the New Year, I express my respectful gratitude to all of you who made those sacrifices. I also express my humble pride that last year, as the country's legislature, the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka, we were able to achieve many of the necessary steps to establish this new democratic parliamentary political culture.
All these are achievements we have achieved as a society in a short period of time. In the future, we must move forward together by taking every necessary step to create a new civilized human being with compassion and a new, good society. In this New Year, I declare to you that we are well aware of the burden of the trust you have placed in us, and we will protect that trust and work with dedication.
I call on all of you to work together in brotherhood to overcome all obstacles and challenges and build this country stronger in 2026
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful New Year...!!!
Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne
The Speaker
Parliament of Sri Lanka
2026-01-01
The Hon. Speaker emphasizes that the rights of the entire working population will be protected and that he will stand firm in safeguarding them at all timesThe Secretary General of Parliament states that the dedication of the staff in carrying out all duties, including the provision of necessary facilities to the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the Parliamentary Complex is much appreciatedThe commencement of duties for the New Year of the Parliament of Sri Lanka took place this morning (Jan. 01) at the Parliamentary premises under the patronage of the Hon. Speaker, (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne.Expressing his views on the occasion, the Hon. Speaker emphasized that the Tenth Parliament has been entrusted with a significant responsibility, as the people expect a novel transformation for the entire nation. Accordingly, he stressed that the entire Parliamentary staff bears a major responsibility to function with transparency and accountability. He further pointed out that many possitives had been observed during the period that has elapsed so far.The Hon. Speaker stated that, in the process of social development, fairness and equality would also be extended to all members of the Parliamentary staff. Accordingly, he reiterated that the rights of the entire working population, including the Parliamentary staff, will always be protected and that he would consistently stand in defending of those rights.Extending New Year wishes, the Hon. Speaker also expressed his hope that the Parliamentary staff would gain strength and courage in the New Year to further strengthen Parliamentary administration and continue to become a body that provides an excellent service.Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, stated that as a country pursues its development goals, the responsibility entrusted to the Parliamentary staff as the legislative body is by no means small and limited. Extending New Year wishes, she expressed her gratitude to all members of the Parliamentary staff who remain committed to carrying out all related duties, including the provision of necessary facilities to the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the Parliamentary Complex. She also conveyed her appreciation to the Parliamentary Police, other security services, and the dedication of other affiliated staff.On this occasion, all staff members collectively recited the Public Service Pledge / Oath aloud.The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Rizvi Salih; the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Hemali Weerasekara; the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General, Chaminda Kularatne; Assistant Secretary General, Hansa Abeyratne; as well as Heads of Departments and a number of members of the Parliamentary and affiliated staff, were also present at the event.
2025-12-31
Parliament to convene from January 6th to 9th Parliamentary business for the first sitting week of Parliament for January 2026 was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held today (Dec. 31) under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, Parliament is scheduled to convene from January 6th to 9th.On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 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 the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament.Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., the Regulations under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2371/35, and the Regulations under the Fishermen's Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2428/13 has been scheduled to be taken up for debate. Subsequently, from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance pertaining to the Proclamation published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2468/45 dated 28.12.2025 has been decided to be taken up for debate. However, opposition Members of Parliament informed the Committee that the time allocated for debating this Resolution does not be suffice.Further, at 5.30 p.m. on the same day, Resolution for the appointment of a Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament on the matter of selecting the Electoral System under which the Provincial Council Elections should be held and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard has been scheduled to be approved.On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 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 10.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, and the time from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers. Thereafter, the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament.Subsequently, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Second Reading of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill has been scheduled. Thereafter, at 5.00 p.m., it has been decided to approve Resolutions under the Essential Public Services Act without debate. The time from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the 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 the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament.Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., two Regulations published in Extraordinary Gazettes Nos. 2455/29 and 2452/40 under the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203) has been scheduled to be taken up for debate. Subsequently, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Government is scheduled to be taken up for debate.On Friday, January 9, 2026, 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 the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament.Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., the Regulation under the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act (Chapter 129) has been decided to be taken up for debate. Subsequently, from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Regulations published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2465/07 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act has been scheduled to be taken up for debate. Thereafter, time up to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.
2025-12-30
During the one-year period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, 26 Government Bills were passed by Parliament.The details of the Acts so passed are as follows:2025NoName of the ActPassed onAssent onAct No1Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions)17.02.202517.02.202501/20252Inland Revenue (Amendment)20.03.202520.03.202502/20253Appropriation21.03.202521.03.202503/20254Value Added Tax (Amendment)09.04.202511.04.202504/20255Proceeds of Crime08.04.202530.04.202505/20256Foreign Loans (Repeal)23.05.202523.05.202506/20257Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment)04.06.202518.06.202507/20258National Transport Commission (Amendment)05.06.202519.06.202508/20259Budgetary Relief Allowance of Workers22.07.202523.07.202509/202510Budgetary Relief Allowance of Workers22.07.202523.07.202510/202511National Minimum Wage of Workers22.07.202523.07.202511/202512Companies (Amendment)24.07.202504.08.202512/202513Bills of Exchange (Amendment)07.08.202515.08.202513/202514Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment)06.08.202518.08.202514/202515Samurdhi (Amendment)20.08.202522.08.202515/202516Rubber Control (Amendment)20.08.202522.08.202516/202517Gambling Regulatory Authority19.08.202503.09.202517/202518Presidents’ Entitlements) Repeal10.09.202510.09.202518/202519National Audit (Amendment)11.09.202522.09.202519/202520National Building Research Institute23.09.202507.10.202520/202521Convention Against Doping in Sports07.10.202507.10.202521/202522Personal Data Protection (Amendment)21.10.202530.10.202522/202523Appropriation05.12.202505.12.202523/202524Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment)05.12.202517.12.202524/202525Betting & Gaming Levy (Amendment)05.12.202517.12.202525/202526Strategic Development Projects (Amendment)05.12.202517.12.202526/2025
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
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