2026-06-11
News Categories : News
The Sri Lankan Parliamentary delegation, which participated in the Workshop for Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka in the People’s Republic of China, returned to Sri Lanka on 05th June 2026 upon the successful completion of its official programme.
The delegation, led by Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathna, M.P., Deputy Minister of Mass Media, participated in the programme conducted by the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China from 26th May to 04th June 2026.
During the course of the visit, the delegation participated in sessions conducted by senior Chinese academics, researchers, and officials on China’s governance framework, development strategy, democratic consultation mechanisms, and national policy direction.
The delegation also undertook official visits to key national institutions, including the National People’s Congress (NPC) Conference Hall and the Great Hall of the People. In addition, it attended a reception hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing on 29th May 2026 to mark International Tea Day, highlighting Sri Lanka’s rich tea heritage and its contribution to cultural and economic ties.
The programme continued in Shenzhen and later in Guangzhou, where the delegation visited institutions and development projects in the fields of smart infrastructure, advanced technology, communications, agriculture, and new energy industries.
The Workshop provided a valuable platform for enhancing parliamentary diplomacy, institutional exchange, and knowledge-sharing between Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China, further strengthening the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries.
2026-07-01
The Hon. Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Dr. Rizvie Salih, stated that good leaders emerge only from a law-abiding and civilized society. He emphasized the importance of electing disciplined, law-abiding and civic-minded individuals as representatives to Parliament.The Deputy Speaker made these remarks yesterday (Jun. 30) while attending, as the Chief Guest, the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament of St. Joseph's Girls' School, Nugegoda, held at the Old Parliament Chamber located within the Presidential Secretariat.The programme was jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka with the objective of providing students of St. Joseph's Girls' School with practical exposure to parliamentary proceedings and a better understanding of the democratic system of governance.Addressing the gathering, the Hon. Deputy Speaker urged students to respect their teachers, noting that teachers dedicate their utmost efforts to shaping the future of their students. He encouraged students to remember and appreciate their teachers regardless of how successful they become in life.He further advised the students to value their future professions, take pride in their work, carry out their responsibilities with honesty and integrity, and strive to excel in their chosen fields.The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the vital role of parents in shaping children's character, noting that children naturally emulate their parents. Therefore, he said, parents have a responsibility to demonstrate exemplary behaviour before their children. He encouraged the students to leave the programme with a firm commitment to becoming law-abiding citizens and to share this message with their parents, emphasizing that such values would benefit both the individual and the nation.Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, addressing the event, explained the services provided by the President's Fund for students and the general public. He stated that assistance for educational and other essential needs can be obtained through the Fund and noted that these services have been made more accessible through Divisional Secretariats across the country, eliminating the need for beneficiaries to travel to Colombo.The inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament commenced with the election of the Student Speaker, followed by the swearing-in of the student Members of Parliament. Students appointed as Ministers presented programmes and development proposals they intend to implement within their respective portfolios for the benefit of the school.The students were also briefed on the structure, functions and parliamentary procedures of the Parliament of Sri Lanka by Ms. Chintha Madhubhashini Bulathsinghala, Deputy Director (Administration) of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.Certificates were presented to the participating students by the Hon. Deputy Speaker and other distinguished guests. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Principal of St. Joseph's Girls' School, Mrs. W.R.R. Silva.The programme was successfully conducted as another initiative under the Student Parliament Programme jointly implemented by the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Among those present were Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla, Assistant Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit of the Presidential Secretariat; Mr. Samantha Mallawarachchi, Director (Communication) of the Parliament of Sri Lanka; Ms. Chula Herath, Assistant Director (Administration) of the Human Resources Development Office of Parliament; members of the school's academic staff, parents and students.
2026-07-01
Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, yesterday (Jun. 30) endorsed the certificates on the Bill to amend the Value Added Tax Act No. 14 of 2002 and the Mediation (Civil and Commercial Disputes) Bill.The Bill to amend the Value Added Tax Act No. 14 of 2002 was presented to Parliament for the first reading on 19 May 2026, and it was passed in Parliament with amendments on 23 June 2026.The objective of this Bill is to modernize the national tax framework targeting both the traditional financial sectors and the rapidly growing digital economy. The provisions introduced through this Act include registration of non-resident digital service providers, introduction of a new methodology for levying taxes, and the mandatory use of point-of-sale machines to ensure transparency. Further, it has been proposed through this Act to enhance tax compliance and fiscal integrity by toughening the existing penalty provisions against tax evasions and fraudulent obtaining of tax benefits.Moreover, the Mediation (Civil and Commercial Disputes) Bill was presented to Parliament for the first reading on 11 July 2025 by the Minister of Justice and National Integration and was passed by Parliament without amendments on 11 June 2026.This Act provides for the mediation of civil and commercial disputes, repeals the Commercial Mediation Centre of Sri Lanka Act No. 44 of 2000, and makes provisions for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.Accordingly, these two Bills come into force as Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act No. 14 of 2026 and Mediation (Civil and Commercial Disputes) Act No. 13 of 2026 respectively.
2026-06-24
Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, has been elected as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka–Bahrain Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament.The meeting convened to establish the Association was held yesterday (Jun. 23) at Parliament under the patronage of the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, also attended the occasion.Hon. Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Sujeewa Senasinghe was elected as the Secretary of the Association, while Hon. Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Anushka Thilakaratne was elected as the Treasurer.Hon. Members of Parliament Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran, Aboobucker Athambawa, Kader Masthan, and Hector Appuhamy were elected as Vice Chairpersons of the Association. Hon. Members of Parliament Dr. Elayathamby Srinath and Lal Premanath were elected as Assistant Secretaries.Addressing the gathering, Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne noted that diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Bahrain, established in 1992, have continued to grow across political, economic, and cultural spheres. He further stated that the Sri Lankan community residing in Bahrain serves as an important bridge strengthening ties between the two countries.The Speaker also emphasized that the Parliamentary Friendship Association would provide an important platform for further enhancing Parliamentary dialogue and cooperation between the two nations. He stressed that in the face of global challenges, continuous engagement and dialogue are essential, rather than isolation. Highlighting the importance of further strengthening diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Bahrain, the newly elected Chairman stated that active Parliamentary engagement is necessary to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism. He noted that the Friendship Association would play a significant role in promoting the welfare of the Sri Lankan community in Bahrain as well as contributing to the economic development of both countries. He also affirmed his commitment to working towards achieving these shared objectives.The Secretary of the Sri Lanka–Bahrain Parliamentary Friendship Association also underscored the importance of parliamentary-level cooperation in further strengthening bilateral relations. He pointed out that meetings of this nature provide valuable opportunities to foster friendship, mutual understanding, and collaboration between the two countries.Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Parliamentary officials attended the meeting.
2026-06-24
The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne stated that the Parliament of Sri Lanka will provide the fullest possible support to ensure that the National Commission on Women, established as an independent commission, functions independently and effectively. The Hon. Speaker made these remarks when he met with the Chairperson of the Commission, Ms. Grace Asirwatham, and its members yesterday (Jun. 23) at the Parliamentary Complex.During the meeting, the Speaker extended his warm congratulations to the newly appointed members of this independent commission, which was established for the first time in Sri Lanka by the Tenth Parliament.The Speaker further noted that the National Commission on Women has been entrusted with a significant and responsible mandate on behalf of women, who constitute 51 percent of Sri Lanka’s population.He also pointed out that Sri Lanka is the country that produced the world’s first female Prime Minister and that, compared to other countries in South Asia, women in Sri Lanka have made considerable progress in advancing within society. Therefore, he emphasized that the National Commission on Women must work towards further empowering women in Sri Lanka by making sound and independent decisions.The two parties also discussed the current administrative and infrastructural challenges faced by the National Commission on Women, as well as its future activities.The meeting was attended by the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Members of the National Commission on Women, Ms. Shreen Saroor, Ms. Janaha Selvaras, Ms. Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, Dr. Padma Gunaratne, Dr. Kalana Senaratne, and the Executive Director of the Commission, Ms. K.D.R. Olga.
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