The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka, H.E. Ms. Patricia Lázara Pego Guerra, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliament of Sri Lanka yesterday (May 06). The Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Cuba, highlighting over 65 years of strong and friendly bilateral ties.
The Hon. Speaker congratulated the Ambassador on her recent appointment and recalled the enduring friendship between the two nations. He also paid tribute to distinguished Cuban leaders, including Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, acknowledging their contributions to strengthening international solidarity.
The Speaker expressed sincere appreciation for Cuba’s consistent support for Sri Lanka at multilateral forums, particularly at successive sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council, where Cuba has delivered statements in support of Sri Lanka.
He further commended Cuba’s advanced medical sector and shared his personal experiences with Cuban doctors who served in Sri Lanka with exceptional dedication and compassion during his time as a medical student. The Speaker extended his gratitude to the Government of Cuba for its assistance in combating dengue in Sri Lanka and sought continued support in developing Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector, particularly through access to advanced Cuban medical technology.
Emphasizing the importance of Parliamentary diplomacy, the Speaker noted the potential to further strengthen bilateral cooperation through the Sri Lanka - Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association across multiple sectors.
Ambassador Pego Guerra reaffirmed Cuba’s enduring friendship and continued support for Sri Lanka. She commended the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in governance, particularly its effective response in mitigating the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
The Ambassador extended an invitation to the Hon. Speaker to visit Cuba with a Parliamentary delegation to further enhance bilateral relations.
Discussions also focused on expanding cooperation in areas such as education through Cuban scholarship programmes, development of the sports sector, and collaboration in the plantation industry for mutual benefit.
Following the meeting, the Ambassador met with a group of members of the Sri Lanka - Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association and held cordial discussions on further strengthening bilateral relations.
2026-06-19
A Parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka, headed by Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), undertook an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the UK–Sri Lanka Parliamentary Programme (Sri Lanka Committee Visit to Westminster), jointly organized by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch (CPA UK) and the Parliament of Sri Lanka (CPA Sri Lanka Branch), from 16th to 18th June 2026.The delegation comprised Hon. Members of Parliament Gayantha Karunathilleka, S.M. Marikkar, (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana, (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law, Kanthasamy Prabu, Danushka Ranganath, Ruwan Wijeweera, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of Parliament, and Mr. Kushan Sampath Jayarathna, Serjeant-at-Arms. The programme, conducted at the UK Parliament in Westminster, aimed to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the UK Parliament while promoting the exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices in Parliamentary procedures and governance.Throughout the programme, the delegation participated in a series of discussions, observations and interactive sessions focusing on a broad range of Parliamentary subjects, including comparative Parliamentary systems, committee structures and oversight mechanisms, legislative and post-legislative scrutiny, Parliamentary standards and privileges, financial scrutiny, public accountability, Parliamentary modernization and public engagement.The programme also provided opportunities for delegates to gain first-hand exposure to Parliamentary practices in the United Kingdom through observation of committee proceedings and Parliamentary sessions, including Prime Minister’s Questions. Delegates also engaged with Members of the House of Commons, Members of the House of Lords, senior officials, and experts representing various Parliamentary institutions and organizations.Further discussions under the programme included the role of Select Committees in ensuring effective oversight, strengthening financial accountability through Public Accounts Committees and related institutions, the role of Parliamentary outreach in enhancing public participation and trust, and initiatives relating to diversity, inclusion and women’s representation in Parliamentary processes.The delegation also held discussions with representatives of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Sri Lanka, providing opportunities to exchange views on Parliamentary strengthening initiatives and explore future avenues for cooperation. In addition, the delegation met with Mr. Stephen Twigg, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), and officials of the CPA Headquarters to discuss their ongoing work with the Parliament of Sri Lanka and explore potential future engagements.During the visit, the delegation also received the support and assistance of the Sri Lanka High Commission in the United Kingdom, with the High Commissioner H. E. Nimal Senadheera and officials of the Mission engaging with the delegation and facilitating aspects of the programme and related arrangements.The programme further strengthened the longstanding relationship between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the UK Parliament while enhancing the knowledge and expertise of Members of Parliament and Parliamentary officials in promoting effective Parliamentary practices, democratic governance and institutional development.
2026-06-19
The Acting Secretary General of Parliament, Mr. Hansa Abeyratne, stated that Parliament is scheduled to meet from June 23 to 26, 2026. This decision was taken at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. On each sitting day, 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, June 23, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to debate the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), two Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette Nos. 2482/09 and 2487/02 under the Special Commodity Levy Act, and Regulations published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2487/29 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, for approval. Thereafter, at 5.00 p.m., the Online Safety (Repeal) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill presented by Hon. Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, will be taken up for second reading and referred to the Legislative Standing Committee for consideration. (No debate will be held on this matter.)Following this, the time from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for a Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Opposition.On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to hold the Second Reading debate on the National Environmental (Amendment) Bill. The time from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been set aside for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., an Adjournment Debate on combating the drug menace will be held in accordance with a motion to be moved by the Government.On Friday, June 26, 2026, from 11.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m., Parliament will debate for approval an Order published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2478/41 under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act.Subsequently, the Adjournment Motion on combating the drug menace, moved by the Government on June 25, 2026, will continue to be debated from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
2026-06-19
A week-long technical assistance mission on “Strengthening Budgetary and Economic Analysis in Parliament” was successfully conducted at the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 8th to 12th June 2026 in collaboration with the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) of the United States Congress.The programme focused on enhancing parliamentary capacity in fiscal oversight, budgetary analysis, and evidence-based policymaking, while supporting ongoing discussions on the possible establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) in Sri Lanka.The visiting delegation from the United States Congress comprised Ms. Meagan Moore of the House Democracy Partnership and Ms. Megan Carroll and Ms. Christi Hawley Anthony of the Congressional Budget Office. Representatives of the United States Embassy in Sri Lanka, including U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Jayne Howell, also participated in the programme.The programme engaged Members of Parliament, Parliamentary committee staff, senior officials of Parliament and representatives of key state institutions involved in public finance and economic governance.The delegation met with the Hon. Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera and held discussions on strengthening parliamentary oversight, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting evidence-based fiscal decision-making. During these engagements, the importance of capacity-building initiatives, public engagement, effective committee oversight and strengthening parliamentary support services was emphasized.The delegation also met with the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, and discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen Parliament's role in public finance oversight, including initiatives aimed at enhancing independent fiscal and budgetary analysis for Members of Parliament.An introductory session for Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff was conducted under the auspices of the Sri Lanka - United States Parliamentary Friendship Association. The session was attended by the Vice President of the Association, Hon. Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena, Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, the Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Parliamentary officials and committee staff. During the programme, the United States delegation delivered presentations on the institutional role and functions of the Congressional Budget Office, including its support for the congressional budget process, preparation of legislative cost estimates, budget and economic forecasting, and the principles of transparency, credibility, and nonpartisanship that underpin its work.The series of interactive sessions enabled Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff to exchange views on fiscal oversight, budget scrutiny, economic analysis, and international best practices relating to legislative budget institutions. Specialized sessions for Parliamentary committee staff examined analytical methodologies, research support functions, the use of technology and artificial intelligence in budget analysis and strategies for strengthening collaboration between Parliament and oversight institutions.The delegation also observed proceedings of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) session with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, the session was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and other officials. The meeting provided firsthand insight into Sri Lanka's parliamentary financial oversight mechanisms and stakeholder engagement practices.The programme concluded with a consolidation workshop during which participants developed a preliminary roadmap outlining possible short, medium, and long-term steps towards the establishment and operationalization of a Parliamentary Budget Office in Sri Lanka. The technical assistance mission marked an important step in strengthening parliamentary capacity in fiscal oversight and budgetary analysis and further enhanced cooperation between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and its international partners in promoting accountable, transparent, and evidence - based governance.
2026-06-17
The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, endorsed the certificate on the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill today (Jun. 17).The Bill was first read in Parliament on 17 March 2026 and was subsequently passed by Parliament following a debate held on 6 May 2026. The Act provides for the amendment of the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Act, the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, and the Mediation Boards Act, No. 72 of 1988, while repealing the Insolvency Ordinance (Chapter 97).The Act introduces specific procedures relating to personal insolvency, including provisions for debt protection, moratoria, and debt restructuring, while ensuring the protection of a debtor’s reasonable income and essential assets.In addition, the legislation addresses matters relating to corporate governance, receivership, and cross-border insolvency, with a view to enhancing predictability and confidence in the credit market.The Act is also intended to provide a fresh start for honest individual debtors and establish a structured mechanism for the rehabilitation of distressed but fundamentally viable companies.Accordingly, the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill shall come into force as the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Act, No. 12 of 2026.
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