Today marks the dawn of spring in nature and the transition of the traditional solar calendar from Pisces to Aries. Accordingly, I pray for a prosperous and blessed New Year for the Sri Lankans, as well as to the Sri Lankans living abroad who are physically far from their homeland but are now deeply connected to their homeland.
The Sinhala Tamil New Year is not only the dawn of a new year, but also a national festival celebrated with great enthusiasm, passing on Sri Lankan cultural heritage to future generations. Also, with the dawn of a new year, Sri Lankans come together as one nation and begin their daily tasks at the same time, reflecting our unity as a nation to the world, with peace, happiness, prosperity and unity.
The true symbols of the New Year are to set aside old grievances and differences, to strengthen cooperation and brotherhood, and to begin the new year armed with new goals.
We are currently going through a period where the country is gradually recovering from the economic crisis prevailing in the country. At the same time, in the past year, we also had to face a major natural disaster like Didva as a country. But the strength with which we have been able to stand up again as a Sri Lankan nation will also help us to face the military challenge that we are currently facing in the Middle East. Therefore, I believe that this New Year will be a year that reflects the true meanings of the New Year, such as cooperation and unity.
Therefore, I invite you to join hands to build a country with a prosperous future by overcoming all the obstacles and challenges that come our way. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to fulfilling the common goals of all of us, keeping the trust you have placed in us.
Happy New Year to all of you who are celebrating the Sinhala-Tamil New Year...!
Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne
Hon. Speaker
Sri Lanka Parliament
2026-05-22
A discussion between the members of the Sri Lanka - Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association, led by its chairman Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, and the Ambassador of Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka, H.E. Patricia Làzara Guerra, was held recently (May 20) at Parliament premises. The meeting focused on the future activities of the Sri Lanka–Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association and explored avenues to further strengthen the longstanding relations between the two countries.Recalling the historic friendship and close ties shared by Sri Lanka and Cuba, the Hon. Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing Parliamentary diplomacy and reinforcing democratic cooperation between the legislatures of both nations.Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Patricia Làzara Guerra expressed her commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in a number of key sectors, including healthcare, sports, agriculture, and climate change. She also reaffirmed the dedication of the Cuba–Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association towards promoting stronger inter-parliamentary engagement and collaboration.The Ambassador further stated that arrangements are being made to organize a virtual meeting between members of the Parliamentary friendship associations of the two countries, with the aim of fostering closer interaction and dialogue. She also invited members to participate in commemorative events being organized to mark the centenary birth anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.During the discussion, members of the Parliamentary Friendship Association also exchanged views on possible areas of support and cooperation that Sri Lanka could extend to Cuba international levels.The Ambassador additionally provided a detailed overview of the current situation in Cuba and briefed the members on the challenges presently being faced by the country.
2026-05-19
Supreme Court Determination on the “Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment)” Bill Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne informed Parliament today (May 19) that he had received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment)” which was challenged in the Supreme Court under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.The Speaker further announced that the Supreme Court has determined that the Bill or any provision thereof is not inconsistent with any provision of the Constitution.Supreme Court Determination on the “Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment)” BillIn terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution, the Speaker also informed Parliament that he had received the determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment)” which was challenged in the Supreme Court under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.The Supreme Court has determined that the Bill could be passed by the simple majority of Parliament, except Clause 22 and Clause 39, which Clauses shall be passed by the special majority of Parliament. However, if Clause 22 and Clause 39 are amended as proposed by the Court, the said Clauses too could be passed by the simple majority of Parliament. The Speaker also directed that the Determinations of the Supreme Court be printed in the official report of today's proceedings.
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.
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