2026-06-12
News Categories : News
Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih emphasized that the student community, who are the leaders of tomorrow, must respect their elders, safeguard ethical values, and act as honest citizens.
The Deputy Speaker made these remarks while participating as the Special Guest at the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament of Vidyartha College, Kandy, held recently at the historic Old Parliament Chamber located within the Presidential Secretariat.
The programme was jointly organized by Vidyartha College, Kandy, the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communications of the Parliament of Sri Lanka with the objective of providing students with practical exposure to parliamentary affairs and an understanding of the democratic governance process.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Speaker stated that it is essential to cultivate discipline, responsibility, and leadership qualities from the student stage itself. He further noted that the public also has an important role to play in ensuring that individuals elected as representatives of the people become ethical, responsible and law-abiding persons.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, explained the services provided by the President’s Fund for students and the general public. He stated that assistance could be obtained through the President’s Fund for various needs, including educational requirements and that these services have been brought closer to the people through Divisional Secretariat offices.
Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, Director of Legislative Services of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, briefed the students on the structure, functions, and parliamentary procedures of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Chandana Sooriyabandara, Media Adviser to the President, spoke on the importance of developing the knowledge and skills required to successfully face the competitive world in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Thereafter, the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament commenced, during which the Speaker was elected and Members took their oaths. Students holding ministerial portfolios presented to the House the programmes and development proposals they expected to implement within the school through their respective ministries.
Certificates were also presented to the participating students by the Hon. Deputy Speaker and other distinguished guests. At the conclusion of the programme, Mr. M.A.S. Srilal, Principal of Vidyartha College, delivered the vote of thanks.
The programme was organized as another successful step in the series of Student Parliament programmes jointly implemented by the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Air Commodore Asiri Gallage, Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit of the Presidential Secretariat, Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla, Assistant Director, Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, Director (Communication) of Parliament, as well as members of the teaching staff, parents, and students of Vidyartha College were also present at the occasion.
2026-07-23
A further programme under the special public outreach initiative launched with the objective of communicating accurate information on the Parliament of Sri Lanka to the public was held at the Parliamentary Complex on 22 July 2026.More than 250 law students of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Open University of Sri Lanka, accompanied by members of the academic staff, visited Parliament and observed the proceedings of Parliament from the Public Gallery.In addition, the students participated in an awareness programme conducted by the Public Outreach Office, through which they gained a broader understanding of the legislative process, parliamentary procedure and democratic practices.The programme was organised by the Public Outreach Office of the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka following a request made by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon, to the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.
2026-07-22
To build a truly complete humanity, decisions concerning oneself, others, and the natural environment must be guided not only by intellect but also by an awakened heart, said Hemali Weerasekara, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees of Parliament of Sri Lanka. She further noted that the concept of "we," rather than "I," embodies cooperation, love, compassion, and empathy.She made these remarks while attending as the Guest of Honour at the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament of Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda, held at the Old Parliament Chamber located within the Presidential Secretariat.The programme, jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Department of Communications of Parliament of Sri Lanka, aimed to provide students with practical exposure to Parliamentary proceedings and a better understanding of the democratic system of governance.Addressing the gathering further, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees stated that education should equip children with the skills required to live harmoniously within society, appreciate values, and develop into responsible citizens. Quoting the views of Bertrand Russell, she stressed that achieving human fulfilment depends on maintaining healthy relationships with oneself, with others, and with nature.She also pointed out that the breakdown of these relationships leads to diminished self-confidence, growing distrust, hatred, and conflict within society, as well as environmental degradation and the worsening of the climate crisis.Noting that women constitute the majority of both the country's population and its electorate, she encouraged the students to prepare themselves to assume leadership roles in local government institutions, Provincial Councils, and Parliament. She added that the Student Parliament serves as an important platform for students to gain practical experience of democratic values.Delivering a lecture on "Future Leadership and the Student Parliament," Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, the Secretary General of Parliament of Sri Lanka, presented a comprehensive overview of democracy, popular sovereignty, the role of Parliament, the legislative process, Parliamentary committees, Parliamentary caucuses, Parliamentary privileges, and public participation.Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, briefed participants on the services provided through the President's Fund for students and the general public. He also explained that a range of services, including educational assistance, can be accessed through Divisional Secretariat offices.During the programme, the Speaker of the Student Parliament was elected, student members took their oaths, and student ministers presented proposals for the development of their school. Certificates were subsequently awarded to the participating students, and the event concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by the Principal, Mrs. M. L. N. M. Damayanthi.The event marked another successful milestone in the series of Student Parliament programmes jointly implemented by the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communications of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Among those in attendance were Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, Director General of Public Relations to the President; Lieutenant Colonel Nadika Dangolla, Assistant Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit of the Presidential Secretariat; Mr. Samantha Mallawarachchi, Director (Communications) of the Parliament of Sri Lanka; as well as the teachers, parents, and students of Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda.
2026-07-21
An awareness workshop on the functioning of Student Parliaments and the procedure for establishing them was recently held at Al Hidaya College, Colombo 10.The workshop was jointly organized by the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and Al Hidaya College. It was held under the patronage of the Principal of the College, Mrs. A.F. Sarook, and the Director of the Department of Communication of Parliament, Mr. Samantha Mallawarachchi.During the programme, the Chief Librarian of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mr. S.L. Siyad Ahamed, provided students with a comprehensive overview of Parliamentary procedures, the role of Parliament, and its functioning.In addition, Mr. A.S.M. Yasri, Public Relations Officer of the Department of Communication of Parliament, briefed the students on the role and functions of Student Parliaments, as well as the procedure for establishing a Student Parliament, using practical examples.The workshop was attended by teachers and students, who were also given the opportunity to seek clarification on questions and concerns relating to Parliamentary procedures and the Student Parliament programme.
2026-07-21
Parliament today (Jul. 21) approved motions to refer reports submitted to Parliament by the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), containing findings from investigations into various institutions, to the Attorney General and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), respectively. Accordingly, Parliament approved the referral to the Attorney General, under Standing Order 119(4), of the report containing the findings of the Committee on Public Accounts on its inquiry conducted on 24 October 2025 into the scheme implemented from 1 May 2022 to 15 September 2023 for issuing permits to Sri Lankans employed overseas to import fully electric vehicles using foreign remittances. The referral is for the Attorney General's observations and any necessary action. Parliament also approved the decision to refer to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), under Standing Order 120(4), matters identified in reports presented to Parliament following investigations conducted by the Committee on Public Enterprises during its committee meetings, for appropriate action.Accordingly, reports presented to Parliament containing findings from COPE investigations into the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital Board, the Land Reform Commission, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Lanka Sathosa Limited, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and the National Savings Bank will be referred to CIABOC.This approval was granted in accordance with the amendments to Standing Orders 119(4) and 120(4), which were adopted by Parliament on 7 April 2026.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
