2026-03-24
News Categories : News
The Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mathew Duckworth, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on 20th March 2026. The Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera was also present on the occasion.
Welcoming the High Commissioner, the Hon. Speaker expressed Sri Lanka’s sincere appreciation for Australia’s longstanding support in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. He conveyed particular gratitude for the humanitarian assistance valued at AUD 3.5 million extended by Australia in the aftermath of the recent ‘Ditwa’ cyclone.
The Hon. Speaker noted that no tourists were affected during the cyclone, underscoring Sri Lanka’s effective disaster response mechanisms and its continued assurance of the safety and security of all visitors to the country.
During the discussion, the Hon. Speaker highlighted the Government’s ongoing education reforms and initiatives to strengthen vocational training opportunities for youth. He emphasized the importance of further enhancing cooperation in the education sector with relevant stakeholders, noting Australia’s standing as a leading global education destination.
The Hon. Speaker also extended an invitation to Australian investors, emphasizing that Sri Lanka remains a peaceful and conducive destination for investment. He outlined measures taken by the Government to improve the ease of doing business, including the introduction of a streamlined single-window facilitation mechanism, as well as steps undertaken to combat bribery and corruption. He further noted the importance of strengthening parliamentary engagement through the Sri Lanka - Australia Parliamentary Friendship Association and expressed appreciation for Australia’s continued support at multilateral forums.
His Excellency the High Commissioner reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to further deepening cooperation with Sri Lanka across a wide range of sectors. He commended the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for their effective management of the recent ‘Ditwa’ cyclone, particularly in ensuring the safety of tourists.
He also noted that approximately 20,000 Sri Lankan students are currently pursuing higher education in Australia and expressed Australia’s interest in further strengthening collaboration in the education sector.
Addressing the tourism sector, His Excellency expressed confidence that more Australian tourists are expected to visit Sri Lanka this year. He further highlighted the presence of Australian agricultural products, including lentils, in the Sri Lankan market and emphasized the potential to expand bilateral trade, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, reflecting the enduring and friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Australia.
2026-03-23
Parliament to Convene on April 7, 9 and 10Parliament is scheduled to convene on April 7, 9, and 10, 2026.This decision was taken at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on 19th March 2026 under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.On all three sitting days, 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).Accordingly, on Tuesday, 7th April, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 4.45 p.m., Regulations under the Convention Against Doping in Sports Act, Regulations under the Strategic Development Projects Act, and Rules under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act are scheduled to be taken up for debate.Furthermore, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill, which were presented to Parliament for First Reading on 17th March 2026, are scheduled for Second Reading on this day, provided that they are not challenged before the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121 of the Constitution.Subsequently, from 4.45 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., amendments to the Standing Orders of Parliament are scheduled to be taken up for debate and approval. Thereafter, at 5.30 p.m., the Annual Report of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation is scheduled to be approved without debate.As 8th April (Wednesday) is a government holiday, Parliament will not convene on that day.On Thursday, 9th April, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m., Orders under the Army Act (Chapter 357), Navy Act (Chapter 358), and Air Force Act (Chapter 359) are scheduled to be debated. In addition, if any Proclamations are issued by the Hon. President under the Public Security Ordinance and the Essential Public Services Act, the relevant motions for the approval are also scheduled to be taken up for debate.Thereafter, from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., it has been agreed to hold an Adjournment Debate moved by the Opposition on the Easter Sunday attacks on 21st April, 2019.On Friday, 10th April, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., it has been decided to take up for debate the No-Confidence Motion brought by the Opposition against the Hon. Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody.
2026-03-20
The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Mar. 20) endorsed the certificate on the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, which was recently passed in Parliament.The Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Act provides for the establishment of a new regulatory authority to introduce a strong legal framework for regulating and supervising money lending and microfinance businesses in Sri Lanka. The objective of this authority is to regulate and supervise licensed money lenders and licensed microfinance institutions, protect customers engaged with such institutions, and coordinate with the Central Bank and other regulatory bodies. Additionally, the Bill provides for the repeal of the Microfinance Act No. 6 of 2016 and includes provisions related to matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.The Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill was first presented to Parliament on 26th November, 2025, and was passed by Parliament on 4th March, 2026.Accordingly, the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill comes into force from today (20) as the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Act, No. 9 of 2026.
2026-03-20
A courtesy meeting was held on 17th March 2026, between the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramarathne and officials of the United States Embassy in Colombo to discuss proposed training support initiatives under the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), in collaboration with the Parliament of Sri Lanka.The purpose of the meeting was to brief the Hon. Speaker on a series of proposed training programmes and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening Parliamentary functions, while also seeking his guidance and approval for their implementation. The meeting also recalled the visit of a House Democracy Partnership delegation of the U.S. Congressional staff to Sri Lanka in August 2025. At that time, discussions with Members of Parliament and Parliamentary officials revealed a strong interest in enhancing capacity in areas such as Parliamentary oversight and public finance.Building on these engagements, the House Democracy Partnership has secured funding to support training programmes and expert-led discussions for the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Mr. Anthony Pirnot, Political Economic Counsellor, explained that the proposed areas of cooperation include training sessions and workshops conducted by U.S. experts on Parliamentary practices, focused engagements with the Committee on Public Finance and the Parliament Budget Office on matters relating to budget scrutiny and financial oversight, and broader sessions facilitated through the Sri Lanka - United States Parliamentary Friendship Association to enable wider participation of Members of Parliament.During the meeting, the Hon. Speaker expressed his appreciation for the continued support extended by the House Democracy Partnership and the United States Embassy and conveyed his guidance and support for the proposed initiatives. He also highlighted recent progressive steps taken by Parliament, noting that amendments to Standing Orders have been introduced to enable the referral of recommendations of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to the Attorney General for further legal action.The Hon. Speaker further stated that there are plans to establish a Parliamentary Study Centre to enhance the knowledge and capacity of Members of Parliament as well as representatives of local authorities.The meeting was also attended by the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. The United States Embassy delegation comprised Mr. Anthony Pirnot, Political Economic Counsellor, Mr. Adam Michelow, Political Officer, and Ms. Nazreen Marikkar, Political Specialist.
2026-03-17
It has been decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held today (17) that Parliament will not convene tomorrow (18), taking into account the current situation and the declaration of every Wednesday as a government holiday. This decision was made at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held today under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, on Thursday, March 19, 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 from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m., it has been decided to take up for debate and subsequently approve regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act.Further, from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Adjournment Debate proposed by the Opposition on the “current global situation” is scheduled to be taken up.On Friday, March 20, 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 from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., it is scheduled to continue, for a second day, the Adjournment Debate proposed by the Opposition on the “current global situation,” which was presented on March 19, 2026.
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