2026-06-09
News Categories : News
The Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment)” which was challenged in the Supreme Court under Article 121(1) of the Constitution, was announced to Parliament today (Jun. 09) by the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court has determined that the Bill may be passed by the simple majority of Parliament, except Clause 14 [proposed Section 12A(b)] and Clause 18 [proposed Sections 17A, 17B and 17C] which Clauses shall be passed by the special majority of Parliament. Furthermore, the Speaker informed Parliament that the Supreme Court has further determined that the said Clauses too can be passed by the simple majority of Parliament if they are amended as proposed by the Court.
The Hon. Speaker also ordered that the Determination of the Supreme Court be printed in the official report of today's proceedings.
2026-07-20
The Constitutional Council invites fresh applications from qualified and interested individuals to be considered for recommendation for appointment to the existing vacancies in the post of Member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. Applicants are required to submit their applications using the prescribed application form available on the Parliament of Sri Lanka website. The application form can be accessed through the "Quick Access" section under the link titled "Recommendation to the post of Member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka."Completed applications should be submitted on or before 31 July 2026 either by registered post or by email to the following by Registered Post:Acting Secretary-General to the Constitutional CouncilConstitutional Council OfficeParliament of Sri LankaSri Jayewardenepura KotteBy Email: constitutionalcouncil@parliament.lk Applicants submitting applications by post should clearly indicate "Recommendation to the post of Member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka" on the top left-hand corner of the envelope. Those applying by email should use the same wording as the subject of the email.
2026-07-20
The Constitutional Council invites fresh applications from qualified and interested individuals to be considered for recommendation for appointment to the existing vacancies and one forthcoming vacancy in the post of Member of the National Police Commission. Applicants are required to submit their applications using the prescribed application form available on the Parliament of Sri Lanka website. The application form can be accessed through the "Quick Access" section under the link titled "Recommendation to the post of Member of the National Police Commission."Completed applications should be submitted on or before 31 July 2026 either by registered post or by email to the following, by Registered Post:Acting Secretary-General to the Constitutional CouncilConstitutional Council OfficeParliament of Sri LankaSri Jayewardenepura KotteBy Email: constitutionalcouncil@parliament.lkApplicants submitting applications by post should clearly indicate "Recommendation to the post of Member of the National Police Commission" on the top left-hand corner of the envelope. Those applying by email should use the same wording as the subject of the email.
2026-07-16
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has deployed 272 investigation officers across the island to take legal action against traders who arbitrarily fix prices without any reasonable basis and engage in unfair pricing practices that disadvantage consumers. The investigation officers have been attached to the District Secretariats and will carry out their enforcement operations under the leadership of the respective District Secretaries. The Consumer Affairs Authority will continue to take legal action against traders who engage in unfair trade practices that adversely affect consumers.These facts were disclosed by Hon. Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, R. M. Jayawardena, while responding in Parliament to a question raised by Hon.Member of Parliament Ruwanthilaka Jayakody.According to the Deputy Minister, the Consumer Affairs Authority has already established a comprehensive mechanism to control the sale of goods at unfair prices. A limited number of essential commodities are subject to government-controlled prices, and the sale of such goods above the prescribed prices constitutes an offence punishable by law. He further stated that substantial fines have already been imposed on offenders. The Deputy Minister also noted that the Consumer Affairs Authority conducts daily market inspections and special island wide raids during festive seasons to safeguard consumer interests. In addition, a dedicated monitoring programme is in operation to ensure that goods subject to controlled prices are sold at the legally prescribed prices.
2026-07-16
An awareness programme for Hon. Members of Parliament on the National Policy on Preschool Education, child protection, corporal punishment and its legal framework, and the importance of positive discipline was held in Parliament recently (July 08).The programme was conducted under the patronage of Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj and Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Namal Sudarshana, with the participation of a number of Ministers and Members of Parliament.During the programme, Director (Preschool Education) of the Ministry of Education, Ms. K.D.T. Wimalasiri, delivered a presentation on the National Policy on Preschool Education. She revealed that preschool education reforms are scheduled to be implemented from 2027 and that, in line with the new curriculum framework, a Preschool Teacher's Guide and a Model Activity Book are expected to be launched in August under the patronage of Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.She further stated that the National Institute of Education plans to train 108 master trainers for preschool teacher training, who will subsequently train a further 556 trainers at the provincial level. Accordingly, nearly 35,000 preschool teachers identified across the country are expected to undergo a ten-day training programme during November and December this year. This initiative will facilitate the implementation of preschool teaching under a common curriculum framework. She also noted that an assessment and regulatory framework for preschools is being developed and that the National Policy on Preschool Education is expected to be enacted into law by next year.Mrs. Wimalasiri further stated that the policy had been formulated with the contributions of several key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Education, and the National Education Commission.Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority, Ms. Preethi Inoka Ranasinghe, Director (Law Enforcement) Attorney-at-Law Sajeevani Abeykoon, Director (Legal) Attorney-at-Law Preethika Sakalasuriya of the National Child Protection Authority, and Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Darshani Hettiarachchi also delivered presentations. They briefed Members on a range of matters, including child protection and the role of the National Child Protection Authority, the proposed legal amendments to abolish corporal punishment, the impact of punitive disciplinary practices on child development, and the importance of promoting positive discipline in place of discipline based on fear of punishment.The officials further pointed out that Sri Lanka is currently undertaking legal and policy reforms aimed at preventing violence against children and eliminating corporal punishment. They also noted that the National Child Protection Authority is taking steps to strengthen its regulatory and coordinating role. It was further explained that amendments have been proposed to the Penal Code to abolish corporal punishment and that, as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Sri Lanka is internationally committed to preventing physical and psychological violence against children.Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj expressed her appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the formulation of the National Policy on Preschool Education. She emphasised that legal reforms should not be directed against any particular group and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to taking every possible measure to ensure the protection and well-being of children.The programme was well received by the Hon. Members of Parliament, who were also given the opportunity to express their views and make suggestions.
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