2026-08-04
The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (4 August) endorsed the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, the Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill, and the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill.
The Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill was passed by Parliament on 9 July 2026 by a special majority, in accordance with the determination of the Supreme Court relating to Clause 14. The Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill was passed with amendments, while the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill was passed without amendments.
The Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill seeks to further strengthen the existing legal framework for combating the offence of money laundering, enhance the effectiveness of financial crime investigations, and update Sri Lanka's legal regime in line with international standards.
Accordingly, the principal features of the amendments include expanding the scope of money laundering offences; enabling legal proceedings for money laundering even in the absence of a conviction for a predicate offence; strengthening provisions relating to temporary freezing orders over suspected assets and asset management mechanisms; introducing new provisions on the management and disposal of restrained property; strengthening the confiscation of criminal property; expanding investigative powers; enhancing international cooperation; and increasing penalties applicable to money laundering offences.
The Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill further strengthens Sri Lanka's compliance with international standards relating to the prevention of money laundering, the suppression of terrorist financing, and the prevention of the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The key features of the Bill include:
• Formalizing requirements relating to the risk-based approach and customer due diligence;
• Expanding the scope of obligations imposed on reporting institutions;
• Including Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) within the definition of a "financial business" under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006, subject to the provisions of any other applicable written law;
• Introducing provisions relating to the establishment of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and strengthening its powers, functions, and responsibilities;
• Extending the duration of transaction suspension orders from seven days to fourteen working days;
• Expanding the administrative sanctions available for enforcing compliance by reporting institutions;
• Introducing provisions for the establishment of the National Committee on Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, and Countering the Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction;
• Strengthening the implementation of targeted financial sanctions pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions relating to terrorism, terrorist financing, and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
• Introducing new definitions and interpretations to improve the clarity of the Act; and
correcting inconsistencies between the Sinhala and English texts of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006.
The Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill introduces amendments to the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act, No. 25 of 2005, with a view to further strengthening Sri Lanka's legal framework for combating the financing of terrorism.
The amendments will further align Sri Lanka's legal measures against terrorist financing with international standards and United Nations conventions, while also facilitating the country's preparations for its forthcoming Mutual Evaluation.
These legislative reforms will help safeguard the integrity of Sri Lanka's financial system, strengthen national security, and reaffirm Sri Lanka's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework.
Accordingly, the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, the Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill, and the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill have come into force as the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Act, No. 16 of 2026, the Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Act, No. 17 of 2026, and the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Act, No. 18 of 2026, respectively.
2026-11-12
Second Reading Debate to be held from tomorrow (13) until November 20Committee Stage Debate scheduled from November 21 to December 14The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2027 (Budget Speech) was presented to Parliament today (Nov. 12) by the Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.At around 1.30 p.m., the President arrived in the Chamber from his office in Parliament and commenced presenting the Budget proposals. The Budget Speech continued until 6.30 p.m.A large number of invitees, including foreign ambassadors, senior government officials, heads of the security forces and judges, attended the occasion.The debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2027 (Budget Debate) is scheduled to be held over 26 days, from November 13 to December 14.The Appropriation Bill for 2027, which was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on October 7, 2026, will be taken up for the Second Reading Debate over seven days, from tomorrow (13) until November 20. The vote on the Second Reading of the Budget is scheduled to be held on November 20 at 6.00 p.m.The Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for 2027 is scheduled to be held over 19 days, from November 21 to December 14, including four Saturdays.Thereafter, the vote on the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held on December 14 at 6.00 p.m.
2026-11-12
Supreme Court Determination on the “Sri Lanka Cricket” BillThe Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (Nov. 12) announced in Parliament the determination of the Supreme Court on the “Sri Lanka Cricket” Bill, which had been challenged before the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution.According to the determination, Supreme Court has determined that the Clause 29 of the Bill infringes Article 14(1) (c) of the Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution.However, the inconsistency would cease and the Bill may be passed by a simple majority of Parliament upon the Committee Stage amendment proposed by the Court being made.The Supreme Court has also determined that the Clause 7(1) of the Bill infringes Article 12(1) of the Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution.However, the inconsistency would cease and the Bill may be passed by a simple majority of Parliament upon the Committee Stage amendment proposed by the Court being made.The Supreme Court has further determined that subject to above none of the other provisions in the Bill are inconsistent with any provision in the Constitution.Supreme Court Determination on the “Protection of the State from Terrorism” BillThe Hon. Speaker also informed the Parliament that he has received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Protection of the State from Terrorism” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121 (1) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has determined that the Bill can be passed by simple majority of Parliament after making the following amendments (Three of them already undertaken by the learned Additional Solicitor General) at the Committee Stage:-• Clause 26(2) to be amended by inserting the phrase “on the application of such police officer”, with the above insertion, Clause 26(2) must read as follows:-“Upon the production of a suspect before a Magistrate under subsection (1), where the police officer conducting the investigation has reasonable grounds to believe that further extended custody of the suspect is necessary for the purpose of conducting further investigation, the Magistrate may, on the application of such police officer, for reasons to be recorded in writing, authorize such suspect to be held in police custody for a further period not exceeding twenty-four hours.”;• Clause 59(5)(b) to be amended by substituting the phrase “Court of Appeal” with the “Supreme Court” to make the judicial oversight effective;• Removal of the Clause 60(7) from the Bill on the basis that it is superfluous; and• Clause 66(1) to be re-framed as follows:-“An executive Order, directive or direction issued or made under this Act may be questioned in proceedings under Article 126, 140 or 141 of the Constitution.”Supreme Court Determination on the “Immigration” BillThe Hon. Speaker further informed the Parliament that he has received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Immigration” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.The Supreme Court has determined that,• Clause 43(3), in its present form, is inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(i) of the Constitution. However, this inconsistency would cease if Clause 43(3) is replaced and a new Clause 43(4) is inserted in the terms set out in the Determination of the Supreme Court.• Clause 169, in its present form, is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution, having regard also to Article 76. However, this inconsistency would cease if Clauses 169(1) and 169(3) are amended in the manner specified in the Determination of the Supreme Court.• Clauses 45 and 65, in their present form, are inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution. However, these inconsistencies would cease if Clause 45(1) is amended and the proposed provision concerning the costs of immigration facilities is inserted with appropriate numbering, as set out in the Determination of the Supreme Court.• There is no other inconsistency with the Constitution on the grounds considered. Also, the Supreme Court records the undertaking to amend Clause 174 by deleting the word “written”.• Where the amendments necessary to remove the identified inconsistencies are not effected, the relevant provisions would require the special majority prescribed by Article 84(2) of the Constitution.
2026-11-11
Mr. Davis Myers, Chargé d’Affaires / Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Rizvie Salih, recently. The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present on the occasion.The Hon. Deputy Speaker warmly welcomed Mr. Myers and reaffirmed the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and the United States of America. He expressed his sincere appreciation for the continued support extended by the Government of the United States, particularly during challenging periods, and acknowledged the assistance provided through USAID towards strengthening Parliamentary affairs and institutional capacities.During the meeting, the Secretary General of Parliament highlighted the recent visit of Hon. Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka to the US Congress conducted through the collaboration of the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka and the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO). She also recalled the various forms of assistance extended to Parliament, including initiatives aimed at strengthening Parliamentary outreach programmes through USAID.Mr. Davis Myers reaffirmed his commitment to continuing and further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. He also commended the beauty and architectural significance of the Parliament building, as well as the natural beauty of Sri Lanka.Both parties engaged in cordial discussions on matters of mutual interest, including maritime security and measures to combat the drug menace.Mr. Myers also participated in a guided tour of the Parliament building, during which he was briefed on its architectural features and Parliamentary facilities.Ms. Rachel Huggins, Political Officer of the US Embassy, Ms. Nazreen Marikkar, and Political Specialist of the US Embassy were also present on this occasion.
2026-11-11
The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, stated that a sum of Rs. 18,058,884 has been allocated this year for the conservation of 846 sites of archaeological significance identified so far in the Anuradhapura District. Accordingly, the figures tabled in Parliament indicate that this includes Rs. 12,609,034 allocated under departmental grants and Rs. 5,449,850 provided through external funding.The Minister made these remarks in response to questions raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Susantha Kumara Navarathna, who sought oral answers.The Minister further stated that measures have been taken to protect and conserve these archaeological sites, taking into consideration the significance of each site, the nature of potential threats, its location and the relevant legal framework. Accordingly, the measures undertaken include carrying out the monitoring affairs of sites, security affairs, establishment of safety fences, boundary posts, taking legal action, carry out the exploration activities, maintenance, preservative, excavations and conservation activities.
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