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.
2026-07-21
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.
2026-07-21
The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (Jul. 21) endorsed the certificate for the National Environmental (Amendment) Bill, which was passed by Parliament.Although the National Environmental Act, No. 47 of 1980, together with the National Environmental (Amendment) Acts, No. 56 of 1988 and No. 53 of 2000, significantly strengthened environmental protection, this amendment was introduced in recognition of the fact that the existing legal framework is no longer adequate to address current environmental and institutional challenges.The Act is intended to further strengthen the legal framework for the protection, management, and enhancement of the environment, improve regulatory mechanisms relating to waste disposal, and modernize the mechanisms used for environmental protection.Accordingly, the Bill comes into force as the National Environmental (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 2026.
2026-07-20
At the request of Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, a four-day Capacity Building Programme for officers of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, organized by the Government of India and the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, was successfully conducted from 13th to 17th July 2026 at the Parliament of India in New Delhi.The Assistant Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mr. Hansa Abeyrathna, headed the Sri Lankan delegation.The programme provided participants with comprehensive exposure to the organizational structure of the Parliament of India, its administrative processes, and the functions of the Parliamentary Secretariat. The Sri Lankan delegation also gained valuable insights into the services provided to Members of Parliament, including Members' Services, and welfare services.The programme further covered a wide range of subjects, including the role of Parliamentary Committees, the functioning and management of Committee Secretariats, international Parliamentary relations and protocol, the Departmentally Related Standing Committee (DRSC) system of the Indian Parliament, the roles and powers of Presiding Officers, powers and functions of the Secretary General of Parliament and the preparation of the Parliamentary Secretariat's budget.In addition, a group of officers from the Parliament of Sri Lanka received practical exposure to the production processes of “Sansad TV”, the official television channel of the Parliament of India, including its live coverage of proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the Parliament Library Building, the Chambers of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and other significant locations within the Parliament House Complex. The programme served as an important initiative in further strengthening institutional cooperation between the Parliaments of Sri Lanka and India.
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