The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair.
Announcements by the Speaker
1 : Joint Special General Meeting
Presentation of Papers
(i) Order made by the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education under Section 27(1)(b) read with Sections 25A and 70C of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978 with regard to the Degrees awarded by National School of Business Management (Guarantee) Limited and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2455/07 of 22nd September 2025
(ii) Order made by the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education under Section 27(1)(b) read with Section 25A of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978 with regard to the Degrees awarded by Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies (Pvt) Limited and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2455/08 of 22nd September 2025
(iii) Order made by the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education under Section 27(1)(b) read with Sections 25A and 70C of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978 with regard to CINEC Campus (Private) Limited and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2458/12 of 13th October 2025
Presentation of Reports from the Committees
(i) The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration was presented by the Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii) The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Member of the Committee, on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
Presentation of Petitions
(i) The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Member of Parliament
(ii) The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Member of Parliament
(iii) The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe, Member of Parliament
(iv) The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir, Member of Parliament
(v) The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara, Member of Parliament
(vi) The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi, Member of Parliament
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)
Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament
(i) The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake
Issues faced by renewable energy sector
The Hon. Minister of Energy replied to the above Question.
(ii) The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam
Political prisoners and other persons detained under PTA
Private Members’ Bills
The Hon. Kabir Hashim was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled
“Al-Hashimi Association (Incorporation)”
Main Business of the House for Today
The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 12 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House:-
(i) Three Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act
(ii) Nine Resolutions under the Appropriation Act
Adjournment Motion
Adjournment Motion on “Issues regarding people in the Up Country” was proposed by the Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan, Member of Parliament.
The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1742 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Friday 22nd May 2026.
2026-05-22
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair. Presentation of Papers(i) Rules made by the Chairman of the Governing Board and Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under Section 105 read with Sections 106 and 78(b) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2479/54 of 12th March 2026(ii) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Registrar General’s Department in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament(iii) Reports on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the District Secretariats – Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Badulla, Monaragala, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament(iv) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Ministry of Energy (Power Section) in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament(v) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Ministry of Defence in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to ParliamentPresentation of Petitions(i) The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament (ii) The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, 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 CESS Tax and local industries(ii) The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran RasamanickamIssues regarding depreciation of Sri Lankan RupeeThe Hon. Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning replied to the above Question. Ministerial StatementsHon. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy on behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 19.05.2026 regarding measures to protect Sri Lanka from future cyber warfare and organised cybercrime.Votes of CondolenceVotes of Condolence on the following Ex-Members of Parliament were taken up and completed:-(i) The Late Hon. (Prof.) Tissa Vitarana(ii) The late Hon. S.C. Muthukumarana(iii) The late Hon. Chandradasa Galappaththi(iv) The late Hon. Nandana Gunathilake(v) The late Hon. Janak Mahendra Adhikari(vi) The late Hon. T. KanagasabaiQuestions at the Adjournment Time(i) The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya, Member of Parliament (ii) The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney at Law, Member of ParliamentThe Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1629 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 9th June 2026.
2026-05-20
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair. Announcements by the Speaker1 : Receipt of a copy of a petition in respect of the Bill titled “Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment)” filed at the Supreme Court2 : Guideline for Questions for Oral Answers Presentation of Papers(i) Annual Report of the Urban Settlement Development Authority for the year 2024(ii) Reports on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government and the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament(iii) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Ministry of Labour in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament(iv) Annual Report of the Central Cultural Fund for the year 2017(v) Annual Report of the Lanka Building Materials Corporation Limited for the year 2017Presentation of Petitions(i) The Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara, Member of Parliament (ii) The Hon. Nishantha Perera, Member of Parliament (iii) The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha, Member of Parliament (iv) The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha, Member of Parliament (v) The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Member of Parliament (Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)Adjournment MotionAdjournment Motion on “Report of the Annual Economic Review of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the Year 2025” was proposed by the Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha, Member of Parliament.The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1747 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 21st May 2026.
2026-05-19
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair. Announcements by the Speaker1 : Determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill entitled “Convention on the suppression of Terrorist financing (Amendment)” 2 : Determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill entitled “Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment)”3 : Receipt of a copy of a petition in respect of the Bill titled “Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment)” filed at the Supreme CourtPresentation of Papers by the SpeakerA. Second Installment – Parts LII (52) and LIII (53) and Ninth Installment – Parts XXXVII (37) and XXXVIII (38) 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.B. (i) • Fourth Installment – Part XXVIII (28) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2021; • Fourth Installment – Part XXVI (26) and Sixth Installment – Part XXX (30) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2023; • Fourth Installment – Part XXVI (26) and Sixth Installment – Part XXVI (26) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2024; and• First Installment – Part I (1) of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2025in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.(ii) Special Audit Report on Taxes in Arrears, Penalties and Interest to be recovered to the Inland Revenue Department from Registered Taxpayers as at 30th June 2024 in the Tenth Installment of the Report of the Auditor General in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.Presentation of Papers(i) Report on the Deviation of Headline Inflation from the Inflation Target set out in the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for Third and Fourth Quarters of the year 2025.(ii) Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2025.(iii) Order made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 5 of the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act, No. 12 of 2006 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2477/22 of 24th February 2026. (iv) Order made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 3(3) of the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, No. 18 of 2011 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2478/05 of 03rd March 2026.(v) Order made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989, as amended, and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2478/06 of 3rd March 2026. (vi) Order made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 2A of the Value Added Tax Act, No. 14 of 2002 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2478/07 of 3rd March 2026. (vii) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Colombo Municipal Council in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament(viii) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Office of the Leader of the House of Parliament in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament(ix) 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 Land Reform Commission in the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises which was presented to Parliament(x) Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration for the year 2024(xi) Report on the submission of observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 120(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises which was presented to Parliament(xii) Order made by the Minister of Justice and National Integration under Section 2 of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, No. 25 of 2002 in respect of the Treaty between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of the Republic of Maldives signed in July, 2025 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2470/04 of 05th January 2026(xiii) Annual Report of the Marine Environment Protection Authority for the year 2023(xiv) Annual Report of the National Council for Elders and National Secretariat for Elders for the year 2023Presentation of Reports under Standing Order No. 52(6) of the Parliament(i) The Report under Standing Order 52(6) of the Parliament on the Bill entitled “Land Development (Amendment)” was presented by the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation.(ii) The Report under Standing Order 52(6) of the Parliament on the Bill entitled “Kodhagoda Gunarathana Nahimi Foundation (Incorporation)” was presented by the Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.Presentation of Reports from the CommitteesThe Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament, the Pro-tem Chair of the Committee.Presentation of Petitions(i) The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara, Member of Parliament (ii) The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Member of Parliament (iii) The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi, Member of Parliament (iv) The Hon. Nanda Bandara, Member of Parliament (v) The Hon. Muhammad Faizal, 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 PremadasaSolution for economic situation of the country and difficulties faced by peopleThe Hon. Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning replied to the above Question. (ii) The Hon. Ravi KarunanayakeMeasures to protect Sri Lanka from future cyber warfare and organised cybercrimeMinisterial StatementsHon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development replied to the Questions raised by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 22.01.2026 and 18.02.2026 regarding ‘proposed conversion of lump sum withdrawal under the EPF into a monthly pension scheme’ and ‘New Central Bank circular regarding Government Official reserves’ respectively.Presentation of BillsThe Hon. Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning moved the Bill entitled“Value Added Tax (Amendment)”to amend the Value Added Tax Act, No. 14 of 2002.Main Business of the House for Today Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill (appearing as Item No. 1 of today’s Order Paper)was passed by the House with amendments.Motion at the Adjournment TimeMotion at the Adjournment Time on “Sustainable solution for Human – Elephant conflict” was proposed by the Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, Member of Parliament.The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1758 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 20th May 2026.
2026-05-08
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair. Welcome Speech by the Hon. SpeakerHon. (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 PartyHis 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 ThanksThe 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 Speaker1 : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary BusinessPresentation 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 2024in 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 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.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.
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