2026-01-21
News Categories : News
The Hon. Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne announced today (Jan. 21) in Parliament that he has endorsed the certificate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill, on 20.01.2026.
This Bill was presented to Parliament on 05.12.2025 and was taken up for debate and passed in Parliament on 07.01.2026.
The Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill has been brought with the objective of amending the principal enactment, the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021, with a view to strengthening regulatory oversight with respect to offshore banking activities and tax compliance, and further amending and clarifying the criteria relating to Businesses of Strategic Importance (BSI).
Through this Amendment Act, a more stringent supervision mechanism is introduced for financial activities within the Zone, particularly by granting the Central Bank of Sri Lanka the authority to regulate and supervise offshore banking activities in conformity with international standards. Furthermore, the Act aligns the economic framework of the Port City with global banking requirements and national financial stability objectives.
Accordingly, the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill comes into operation as the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Act, No. 01 of 2026.
2026-05-18
The inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Southlands College, Galle was held recently (May 14) at the Old Parliamentary Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Subhash Roshan Gamage, and Senior Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Mr. Kamal Ariyasinghe. The programme was jointly organized by Southlands College, the Ministry of Education, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Department of Communications of the Parliament of Sri Lanka with the objective of providing practical exposure to Parliamentary procedures for the students of Southlands College, Galle.Addressing the gathering, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Subhash Roshan Gamage stated that student parliament programmes provide children with significant leadership experience. He further stated that students engaged in student parliament activities, as future custodians of the country, should possess an understanding of the need to minimize waste in the country. He also briefed the students on the President’s Fund.Senior Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Kamal Ariyasinghe emphasized the importance of developing leadership qualities from an early stage and also briefed the students on the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.Deputy Director (Administration) of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Ms. Chintha Madhubhashini Bulathsinhala, briefed the students on the role of Parliament, its composition, and its functions.The inaugural sitting of the Southlands College Student Parliament commenced with the election of the Speaker, followed by the swearing-in of the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, and Members of Parliament. Subsequently, each student minister presented the plans proposed to be implemented through their respective ministries.Certificates were also awarded to the students representing the Student Parliament under the patronage of the invited dignitaries.Concluding the programme, the Principal of Southlands College, Galle Ms. N.G.R. Sumedha Kariyawasam, delivered the vote of thanks.Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla and officials of the Department of Communications of Parliament also participated in the event.The programme was also attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education Ms. Wasana Edirisooriya, Director General of Public Relations to the President Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla, Director of the Department of Communications of Parliament Mr. Samantha Mallawarachchi, as well as officials of the Department of Communications.
2026-05-14
Parliament is scheduled to meet from May 19th to 22nd.The parliamentary business for these dates was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held on May 8th under the chairmanship of the Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih.Accordingly, on each sitting day, 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 from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).On Tuesday, May 19th, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Second Reading debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill is scheduled to be held. From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., time has been allocated for the Motion at the Adjournment Time (Opposition).On Wednesday, May 20th, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Adjournment Debate will be held on the report of the Annual Economic Review of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2025, based on a motion moved by the Government.On Thursday, May 21st, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to debate three Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act (published in Extraordinary Gazette Nos. 2481/02, 2482/08, and 2482/12), as well as nine Resolutions under the Appropriation Act (Published in Addendum to the Order Book of Parliament, No. 3(11) dated 30.04.2026). On Friday, May 22nd, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., time has been allocated Votes of Condolence on the late Hon. Members of Parliament. Accordingly, Votes of Condolence are scheduled to be presented in honor of former Members of Parliament Professor Tissa Vitarana, S.C. Muthukumarana, Chandradasa Galappatthy, Nandana Gunathilake, Janak Mahendra Adikari, and Kanagasabai Thanmanpillai.Thereafter, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., time has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.
2026-05-14
New stamps for the postal facilities provided to Hon. Members of Parliament were recently issued at the Parliamentary Library under the patronage of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Accordingly, two new stamps valued at Rs. 20.00 and Rs. 70.00 were released.The stamps were issued by the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts of Sri Lanka, and are expected to facilitate the various postal requirements of Hon. Members of Parliament more conveniently.Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih and Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara also attended the occasion. Among those present were Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyrathne, Postmaster General Mr. S.R.W.M.R.P. Sathkumara, Deputy Postmaster General (Operations) Mr. H.M. Premachandra Herath, Director of the Philatelic Bureau Mr. L.G.N. de Silva, along with several other officials.
2026-05-12
Delegation Holds Discussions with the Sri Lanka – China Parliamentary Friendship AssociationChinese Delegation Participates in Joint Committee Meeting of MCC and SOC on JusticeA delegation headed by Hon. (Prof.) Xin Chunying, Member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chairperson of the Constitution and Law Committee of the NPC of the People’s Republic of China, called on Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, the Hon. Speaker at Parliament recently.The delegation also included Hon. Cong Bin, Member of the Standing Committee of the NPC and Vice Chairperson of the Constitution and Law Committee of the NPC, Hon. Gao Zicheng, Member of the Constitution and Law Committee and several accompanying officials.Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, the Secretary General of Parliament was also present on the occasion.Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, the Hon. Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China, which span over 2,000 years. He further highlighted that the 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries will be commemorated in 2027.The Hon. Speaker extended sincere appreciation to the Government of China for the continuous support extended to Sri Lanka over the decades as a trusted and longstanding friend. He especially recalled China’s assistance during difficult periods, including the aftermath of the cyclone ‘Ditwah’, the recent economic crisis and the support extended to Sri Lanka at international and multilateral forums.Hon. (Prof.) Xin Chunying reiterated the strong and enduring relations between Sri Lanka and China and commended Sri Lanka’s ongoing development efforts. She also emphasized the importance of strengthening parliamentary diplomacy between the two legislatures and reaffirmed China’s continued commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit.Subsequently, the delegation met with Bimal Ratnayake, the Hon. Chair of the Sri Lanka – China Parliamentary Friendship Association, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the Leader of the House of Parliament and held cordial discussions on matters of mutual interest. During the meeting, Hon. Minister Ratnayake expressed his gratitude to China for the assistance provided to Sri Lanka during challenging times. The discussions also focused on enhancing Parliamentary exchanges, cooperation in policymaking, and strengthening institutional ties between the two countries through Sri Lanka – China Parliamentary Friendship Association.Members of the Sri Lanka – China Parliamentary Friendship Association, Hon. Members of Parliament Thanura Dissanayake and Anushka Thilakaratna, Attorney at Law also participated in the discussion.Thereafter, the delegation participated in a joint meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee (MCC) on Justice and National Integration and the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection.The meeting was attended by Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law, Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration and Chair of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration, (Dr.) Najith Indika, Hon. Member of Parliament and Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection and several Members of Parliament representing the respective committees.Both Chairpersons expressed appreciation for China’s continued support towards judicial and legal sector development in Sri Lanka. During the discussions, both parties exchanged views and shared experiences on legal and judicial practices, governance, and institutional cooperation.The Hon. Speaker also hosted a luncheon meeting in honour of the visiting delegation.
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
