The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair.
Welcome Speech by the Hon. Speaker
Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker welcomed the His Excellency To Lam, the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Leader of the Communist Party.
Address to Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka by His Excellency To Lam, the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Leader of the Communist Party
His Excellency To Lam, the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam addressed the Members of Parliament in the House today at 11.40 a.m.
Votes of Thanks
The Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament made Votes of Thanks.
The Hon. Speaker suspended the Sittings until 1.30 p.m.
Announcements by the Speaker
1 : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business
Presentation of Papers by the Speaker
(i)
• Ninth Installment – Part XLVIII (48) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2021;
• Second Installment – Part LVI (56) and Ninth Installment – Part XXXI (31) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2023; and
• Second Installment – Parts XLIX (49), L (50) and LI (51) and Ninth Installment – Part XXXVI (36) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2024
in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
(ii) Sixth Report of the Constitutional Council submitted under Article 41G (1) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Presentation of Reports from the Committees
The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Member of Parliament, Member of the Committee, on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
Main Business of the House for Today
The following Motions (appearing as Item Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House and Passed:-
• Providing opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen who represent a national sports team or claim a national level record to read for any degree course related to the field of sports
That this Parliament resolves that the government should prepare the necessary legal and higher educational structure for sportsmen and sportswomen who represent any national sports team in Sri Lanka or claim a national level record to pursue any degree course related to the field of sports, not based on their basic educational qualification or the Z-score.
• Formulating a program to make school students aware of the University of Vocational Technology
That this Parliament resolves that a program be developed by the government to make schoolchildren aware of the courses of the University of Vocational Technology, which targets at the job market and vocational technology, deviating from the traditional university framework in Sri Lanka.
• Setting up of a unit with legal powers to solve the problems faced by the migrant employees
That this Parliament resolves that a unit with legal powers be set up to look into problems faced by migrant employees including assault, abduction, rape, sexual abuse, homicide, financial fraud and facilitate the safe return of affected workers to Sri Lanka and look into their safety.
• Formulating a course of action to prevent the misuse of the positions of professors and doctors
That this Parliament resolves that the government do take necessary action to formulate a course of action through the University Grants Commission for preventing the situation, where many persons in our society misuse the titles such as Professor and Doctor.
• Formulating a methodology to prevent the damage caused by the pine plantations to sources of water and the environment
That this Parliament resolves that a methodology be formulated to remove pine plantations and to substitute useful indigenous plants considering the damage caused to sources of water and the environment by pine plantations, which have been grown especially in mountainous areas including the Uva Province.
• Preventing suicide among young children
That this Parliament resolves that, given the failure of existing measures to prevent young children from committing suicide, including training teachers for counselling in every school, establishing a counselling division in every divisional secretariat and a counselling unit at every district secretariat, offering diploma courses, degree courses and postgraduate courses in counselling in state and private universities, and establishing psychiatric units in every major hospital to address depression lately, it is imperative for political authorities, government officials, the electronic and print media, and the public to deeply intervene in all these measures.
The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1716 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 19th May 2026.
2026-05-07
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair. Announcements by the Speaker1 : Regarding security arrangements for Friday, the 8th of May 2026 as Vietnamese President to address Parliament of Sri LankaPresentation of Papers(i) Annual Report of the Wijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital for the year 2024(ii) Annual Report of the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities for the year 2024Presentation of Reports from the CommitteesThe Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Member of Parliament, Member of the Committee, on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.Presentation of Petitions(i) The Hon. Arun Hemachandra, Member of Parliament Two Petitions (ii) The Hon. R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Member of Parliament(iii) The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana, Member of Parliament - Two Petitions (iv) The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama (v) The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga (Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament(i) The Hon. Sajith PremadasaFuel purchasing and supply process of Ceylon Petroleum CorporationThe Hon. Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy replied to the above Question. (ii) The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan ArchchunaMisuse and measures on restitution of non-released lands of Tamil people in North Ministerial Statements(i) Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 07.01.2026 regarding not functioning of Vaddakachchi agricultural School and the farm.(ii) Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 19.03.2026 regarding definition, statistics, policy etc. for poverty in the country.Private Members’ BillsThe Hon. M.A.M. Thahir was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled“Mass Foundation (Incorporation)”Main Business of the House for Today The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 5 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House:-(i) Regulations under the National Transport Commission Act (ii) Regulations under the Motor Traffic Act(iii) Regulations under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act (iv) Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance - Division was taken (145 in favour; 06 against)(v) Resolution under the Essential Public Services ActThe Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1816 Hrs. until 1135 Hrs. on Friday 8th May 2026.
2026-05-06
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair. Presentation of Papers(i) Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education for the year 2024(ii) Proclamation made and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2486/13 of 28th April 2026 and Schedule thereto, by virtue of the powers vested with the President in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979(iii) Note on Supplementary Allocations from the Development Activities Programme appearing under Expenditure Head No. 240 of the Department of National Budget for the period from 04.03.2026 to 31.03.2026 in terms of Section 6(1) of the Appropriation Act, No. 23 of 2025(iv) Annual Report of the National Institute of Plantation Management for the year 2023Presentation of Petitions(i) The Hon. Rathna Gamage, Member of Parliament - Two Petitions (ii) The Hon. Nihal Galappaththi, Member of Parliament - Four Petitions (Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)Questions to be asked from the Prime MinisterThe Hon. Manjula Sugath Rathnayaka, Member of ParliamentQuestions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament(i) The Hon. K. Kader MasthanRegulation of pre-schools to formulate a National Pre School SystemThe Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education replied to the above Question. (ii) The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran RasamanickamImpact of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ on paddy production for the 2025/ 2026 Maha seasonMinisterial StatementsHon. Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 20.02.2026 regarding financial position, restructuring trajectory and fiscal exposition of Sri Lankan Airlines.Presentation of BillsThe Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education moved the following Bills entitled-(i) Telecommunication Levy (Amendment) - to amend the Telecommunication Levy Act, No. 21 of 2011.(ii) Finance (Amendment) - to amend the Finance Act, No. 35 of 2018.(iii) The Hon. Minister of Environment moved the Bill entitled“National Environmental (Amendment)”to amend the National Environmental Act, No. 47 of 1980.Main Business of the House for Today Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill (appearing as Item No. 1 of today’s Order Paper)was passed by the House.The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1753 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 7th May 2026.
2026-05-05
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair. Messages from the President1 : Order under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40) 2 : Order under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40) Announcements by the Speaker3 : Determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill entitled “Inland Revenue (Amendment)”4 : Receipt of copies of petitions in respect of the Bills titled “Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment)” and “Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment)” filed at the Supreme Court5 : Member to serve on the Select Committee of Parliament to review the laws dealing with Elections (excluding laws dealing with Provincial Council Elections) and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard Presentation of Papers by the Speaker(i) • Third Installment – Part XXIII (23) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2019; • Third Installment – Part XXVII (27) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2020; • Second Installment – Part LXX (70) and Ninth Installment – Part XLVII (47) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2022; • Second Installment – Part LV (55) and Ninth Installment – Part XXX (30) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2023; and• Second Installment – Parts XLVII (47) and XLVIII (48) and Ninth Installment – Parts XXXIII (33), XXXIV (34), and XXXV (35) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2024in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.(ii) First Installment – Part XLII (42) Fourth Installment – Part XXV (25) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2024 in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.Presentation of Papers(i) Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 20 read with Sections 4(1) and 14 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 as amended by Acts, No. 48 of 1985 and No. 28 of 1987 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2481/02 of 23rd March 2026 (ii) Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 20 read with Sections 4(1) and 14 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 as amended by Acts, No. 48 of 1985 and No. 28 of 1987 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2482/08 of 31st March 2026(iii) Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 20 read with Sections 4(1) and 14 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 as amended by Acts, No. 48 of 1985 and No. 28 of 1987 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2482/12 of 02nd April 2026 (iv) Annual Economic Review of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2025(v) Report on the submission of observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Delimitation Commission in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament(vi) Annual Report of the Kithul Development Board for the year 2022(vii) Annual Reports of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies for the years 2020 and 2021(viii) Annual Report of the Employees’ Provident Fund for the year 2023(ix) Regulations made by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs under Section 52 read with Section 23 of the Immigrants and Emigrants Act, (Chapter 351) on 23rd April 2026 (x) Annual Report of the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka for the year 2023(xi) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 120(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Construction Industry Development Authority in the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises which was presented to ParliamentPresentation of Reports from the Committees(i) The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament, the Chair of the Committee.(ii) Two Reports of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital was presented by the Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi, Member of Parliament, the Chair of the Committee.(iii) The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika, Member of Parliament, the Chair of the Committee.Presentation of Petitions(i) The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih, Member of Parliament (ii) The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Member of Parliament (iii) The Hon. Ajith P. Perera, Member of Parliament (iv) The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena, Member of Parliament (Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament(i) The Hon. Sajith PremadasaIssues regarding fraudulent diversion of foreign loan repaymentThe Hon. Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning replied to the above Question. (ii) The Hon. Ravi KarunanayakeFinancial fraud at NDB bank and accountability concern of Central Bank in regulationsMinisterial StatementsHon. K.D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation replied to the Question raised by the Hon.Sajith Premadasa under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 06.03.2026 regarding Issues in Government paddy purchasing process.Presentation of BillsThe Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education moved the Bill entitled“Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment)”to amend the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, No. 5 of 2006.Main Business of the House for Today The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 5 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House:-(i) Four Orders under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act(ii) Regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission ActAdjournment MotionAdjournment Motion on “Disappearance of 2.5 Million US Dollars in Treasury” was proposed by the Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, Member of Parliament.The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1722 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 6th May 2026.
2026-04-10
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair. Announcements by the Speaker1 : Endorsement of the certificate on a Bill under Article 79 of the ConstitutionPresentation of Papers(i) Annual Report of the Condominium Management Authority for the year 2023(ii) Annual Report of the Lanka Sugar Company (Private) Limited for the year 2023Presentation of Reports from the Committees(i) The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development was presented by the Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Member of Parliament, the Chair of the Committee.(ii) Two Reports of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women's Empowerment was presented by the Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha, Member of the Committee, on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.Presentation of Petitions(i) The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe, Member of Parliament (ii) The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament(iii) The Hon. Ajith Agalakada, Member of Parliament (iv) The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Member of Parliament (Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament(i) The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran RasamanickamDetails of Aswesuma The Hon. Deputy Minister of Economic Development replied to the above Question. (ii) The Hon. M.A.M. ThahirLand donated to Masjid in Mundalama, PuttalamThe Hon. Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government replied to the above Question. Questions of PrivilegeHon. Ravi Karunanayake, Member of ParliamentNot answering several Questions asked by him regarding the Central BankMain Business of the House for Today Vote of No Confidence against the Hon. Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy (appearing as Item No. 83 of today’s Order Paper)was defeated after having taken a division (49 in favour; 153 against).The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1812 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 5th May 2026.
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