2026-07-07
News Categories : News
The newly appointed 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at Parliament today (Jul. 07).
During the meeting, the two sides held extensive discussions on the role of the Sri Lanka Navy in safeguarding national security and maritime security, the importance of further strengthening coordination among State institutions, and enhancing cooperation in support of national development.
On the occasion, the Hon. Speaker congratulated the newly appointed Navy Commander and commended the Sri Lanka Navy for its outstanding service in protecting the country's maritime boundaries, ensuring national security, and contributing to the welfare of the people. He also conveyed his best wishes to Vice Admiral Fernando for a successful tenure in his new office.
Expressing his appreciation for the Speaker's congratulations, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to carrying out its responsibilities with the utmost dedication in further strengthening national and maritime security.
The Navy Commander also underscored the importance of Sri Lanka maintaining balanced and neutral diplomatic relations with other countries in light of the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.
The discussion further covered the Sri Lanka Navy's recent initiative to commence the commercial manufacture of boats, with a view to generating revenue for the country and promoting local industries.
Vice Admiral Fernando also noted that the Sri Lanka Navy is working closely with the Government to promote tourism in the islands of the Northern Province and to improve the livelihoods of the communities living in those areas.
2026-07-06
An Awareness Programme on Human Trafficking organized for Hon. Members of Parliament was held recently at the Parliament Complex under the patronage of the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Hemali Weerasekara.The programme was jointly organized by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of the Ministry of Defence and the Parliament of Sri Lanka. It was aimed at enhancing Members' awareness of emerging trends relating to human trafficking, as well as the associated legal, policy and development dimensions, while strengthening the legislative process in addressing this issue.The programme was conducted with the participation of resource persons from the Attorney General's Department. Additional Solicitor General, President's Counsel Haripriya Jayasundara, and State Counsel Sajith Bandara served as the resource persons.Addressing the gathering, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, stated that trafficking in persons has evolved over time and is increasingly linked to organized transnational criminal networks.He further pointed out that deceptive overseas employment opportunities, fraudulent recruitment practices, technology-enabled recruitment, forced labour, sexual exploitation, and, in certain instances, the use of victims for forced criminal activities have emerged as major challenges requiring a coordinated national response.Members of Parliament were also briefed on the National Strategic Action Plan on Combating Human Trafficking (2026–2030) of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. The Action Plan is built on four key pillars: preventing human trafficking; identifying and protecting victims; strengthening the criminal justice response; and enhancing coordination among State institutions.Special attention was also drawn to emerging trends in human trafficking, particularly technology-based recruitment, deceptive migration practices, labour exploitation, and forced criminal activities.The event was attended by the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa; Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala; Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara; Hon. Members of Parliament; Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha; Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Acting Secretary to the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Attorney-at-Law Priyangani Hewarathna; Director of Legislative Services of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mr. Jayalath Perera; Deputy Director (Administration), Chintha Bulathsinhala; Assistant Director (Administration), P.H. Kumarasinghe; and officials of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
2026-07-03
The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, stated that Parliament is scheduled to meet from 07th to 10th July.She further mentioned that the Parliamentary business for the respective week was decided during the meetings of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on the 25th and 26th, chaired by the Hon. Deputy Speaker, (Dr.) Rizvie Salih.Except on Wednesday, 8th of July, which is allocated for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. on all other days is reserved for parliamentary business as specified in Standing Orders 22(1) to (6).The period from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while the period from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. is allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).On Tuesday, 07th of July, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., regulations under the Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188) and regulations published in the Extraordinary Gazette Nos. 2482/03 and 2482/04 under the Anti-Corruption Act are scheduled to be approved following debate.On Wednesday, 08th of July, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. is allocated for the Parliamentary business specified in Standing Orders 22(1) to (6). The period from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. is allocated for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, while the period from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. is allocated for Questions for Oral Answers. Following this, the period from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., Regulations published in the Extraordinary Gazette Gazette No. 2468/06 under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, the Resolution published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2478/03 under the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235), Regulations published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2480/22 under the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203) and two Orders published in the Extraordinary Gazette Nos. 2478/04 and 2479/38 under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act will be taken up for debate.Thereafter, pursuant to a motion moved by the Opposition, it was decided to hold the Adjournment Debate on the issues faced by foreign migrant workers from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.On Thursday, July 09th, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Second Reading debate on the following three Bills is scheduled to be held Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill, Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill are scheduled to be taken up for debate.Thereafter, the period from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Friday, 10th July, the following Private Members’ Motions are scheduled to be debated from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Name of the Hon. Member of ParliamentTitle of the Private Member's MotionNalin BandaraFormulation of a programme to regulate the process of issuing licenses for filling stations.Upul KithsiriPreservation of places of historical value in Sri Lanka, including Maduwanwela Walawwa, which belongs to the Kolonna Divisional Secretariat Division of the Ratnapura District.Dr. M.L.A.M. HizbullahEstablishing a fund under the name "Sri Lanka Baitulmal Fund".Mrs. Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law Appointing a trained student counsellor to every school for the educational, career, and personal-social development of school students.Mrs. Rohini Kumari WijerathnaFormulation of a pension scheme for the Sri Lankans working abroad, who are styled as “Rata Viruwan” (Migrant Heroes).Ruwanthilaka JayakodyFormulating a mechanism to prevent the sale of food harmful to children in canteens within the school system of Sri Lanka.Rajeevan JeyachandramoorthyPromoting tourism services and developing the economy in Jaffna.Thereafter, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the Government is scheduled to be debated.
2026-07-02
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.
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