2026-07-02
News Categories : News
On the occasion of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, a special meeting was held at the Parliament of Sri Lanka between women ambassadors and heads of female diplomatic missions serving in Sri Lanka and the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka.
The purpose of the meeting was to recognize the significant contribution of women to global peace, security, and sustainable development, as well as to promote equal representation of women in international decision-making processes.
Addressing the event, the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, delivered the welcome address. Following this, Ms. Dewi Gustina Tobing, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Sri Lanka and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, stated that Sri Lanka producing the world’s first female Prime Minister marked an important milestone in women’s leadership in the country. She also expressed her satisfaction with the high level of female representation in the current Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Thereafter, an exchange of experiences took place between members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and women ambassadors serving in Sri Lanka. Discussions focused on enhancing women’s participation in leadership, diplomacy, politics, and governance, while also emphasizing the importance of further strengthening future cooperation.
The invited delegation also toured the Parliament premises and was formally welcomed in the Chamber, where a special announcement was made in honour of the visiting women ambassadors. They were also given the opportunity to observe parliamentary proceedings.
Members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, along with Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary General of Parliament and Secretary of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, participated in the event.
2026-07-02
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at further strengthening cooperation between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was recently signed at the Parliament premises.The MoU was signed by Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, the Secretary General of Parliament, on behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Phuntsho Wangyel, Acting Representative of UNFPA Sri Lanka, on behalf of the United Nations Population Fund. The event was attended by a delegation including Dr. Aleksandar Sasha Bodiroza, Director for the Asia and Pacific Region of UNFPA.This MoU is expected to further strengthen the legislative process, enhance the institutional capacity of Parliament, and elevate cooperation between the two parties in policymaking related to population and social development.Accordingly, the two parties will collaborate across several areas, including providing technical assistance for evidence-based legislative decision-making on demographic resilience, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, gender-based violence, and harmful social practices. The cooperation will also include the provision of analytical information to Parliament based on the latest census data and population research.Furthermore, the MoU facilitates the organization of knowledge-sharing programmes and high-level dialogues involving Members of Parliament, government officials, subject experts, and other stakeholders; the provision of evidence-based briefings and advisory reports to Members of Parliament; and the conduct of training programmes, workshops, and exchange sessions.In addition, UNFPA has agreed to support efforts to brief Hon. Members of Parliament on international policy frameworks, intergovernmental processes, and Sri Lanka’s international commitments related to population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality. Subsequently, the UNFPA delegation met and held discussions with the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The meeting was attended by Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary General of Parliament, and Mr. Hansa Abeyratne, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament.During the discussion, the Speaker emphasized the need for in-depth analysis of the country’s current economic situation and demographic challenges. He highlighted the imbalance between the career aspirations of youth and family life, the declining birth rate, and disparities in social care services as issues that must be addressed at the policy level. He also stressed the importance of long-term policy guidance on demographic dynamics and social development.The discussion further focused on the challenges faced by working women and the importance of strong social policies for childcare, managing demographic transition, achieving work-life balance, and ensuring the needs of future generations. It also highlighted the need for coordinated action among the government, Parliament, and other stakeholders.
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.
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