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.
2026-05-14
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.
2026-05-12
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.
2026-05-08
Viet Nam President Holds Discussions with Hon. Speaker and Sri Lanka - Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Association to Strengthen Bilateral RelationsThe President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, His Excellency To Lam, visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka today (08) and delivered a special address to Members of Parliament, reaffirming the longstanding friendship and growing Comprehensive Partnership between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka. Addressing Members of Parliament, President To Lam highlighted Viet Nam’s development journey, the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, and the shared commitment of both countries towards peace, sustainable development, regional cooperation and people-centered growth.President To Lam arrived at the Parliamentary Complex at 11.05 a.m. and was received by the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. The President was ceremonially escorted into the Parliament Building by the Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Kushan Jayaratna, the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Achintha Cooray and Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Lakmal Kadigamuwa.A cordial bilateral meeting was subsequently held between President To Lam and the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, reaffirming the longstanding bilateral relations and strengthening Parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. The Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Dr. Rizvie Salih, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka – Viet Nam Friendship Association and Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Secretary-General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera and Assistant Secretary-General Mr. Hansa Abeyratna also participated in the discussions.During the meeting, both parties assured the deep-rooted friendship and longstanding diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam. Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral engagement, particularly through Parliamentary exchanges under the Sri Lanka – Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Association.President To Lam expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to address the Parliament of Sri Lanka and extended an invitation to the Hon. Speaker and a Parliamentary delegation to visit Viet Nam to further enhance collaboration and mutual engagement. The President also commended Sri Lanka’s political stability and ongoing development efforts, while reiterating Viet Nam’s support and the importance of strengthening Parliamentary diplomacy between the two nations.President To Lam also signed the Special Visitors’ Book of Parliament.President To Lam entered the Chamber at 11.35 am and took his seat in the specially designated chair placed near the Speaker’s Chair. He delivered his special address to Parliament at 11.40 a.m. Following the address by President To Lam, statements were delivered by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. After the temporary suspension of the House, President To Lam departed the Parliamentary Complex at 12.30 p.m.
2026-05-07
The President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, His Excellency To Lam, is scheduled to visit the Parliament of Sri Lanka tomorrow (08) and deliver a special address to Members of Parliament.President To Lam is expected to arrive at the Parliamentary Complex at 11.05 a.m. tomorrow, where he will be received by the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. Following the reception, a brief meeting between the President of Viet Nam and the Hon. Speaker has been arranged. The Chairman of the Sri Lanka -Viet Nam Friendship Association Hon. Minister of Environment (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, will also participate in this occasion.During the visit, the President of Viet Nam is also scheduled to sign the special visitors’ book of Parliament.Thereafter, President To Lam will enter the Chamber and take his seat in the specially designated chair placed near the Speaker’s Chair. He is scheduled to deliver his special address to Parliament at 11.40 a.m. Accordingly; this will mark the first occasion since 2015 that a Head of State addresses the Parliament of Sri Lanka.Following the address by the President of Viet Nam, statements are scheduled to be delivered by the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition. After the temporary suspension of the House, the President of Viet Nam will depart from the Parliamentary Complex.
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