2026-08-20
News Categories : News
The Committee on Parliamentary Business, which met today (Aug. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, decided to take up for debate tomorrow, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Supplementary Estimate seeking approval for the allocation of Rs. 7500 million (7.5 billion) required by the Government to purchase paddy during the 2026 Yala season.
The Supplementary Estimate has been presented to provide Rs. 7.5 billion from the funds allocated in 2026 for projects and programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, which are expected to remain unutilized during the current year, for the purpose of making the required payments.
Thereafter, the Adjournment Motion to be presented by the Government is scheduled to be debated from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2026-08-20
The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Aug. 21). The debate on the Second Reading of the Bill was held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thereafter, the Bill was passed without a vote.The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was introduced to increase the fines applicable to offences under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956, from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.
2026-08-20
Postal employees will be provided with 165 electric motorcycles (e-motorbikes) and 20 electric three-wheelers (e-three-wheelers) for the delivery of postal items in 2026, and the remaining requirement for motorcycles will be fulfilled in stages in the future, said Hon. Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne. The Deputy Minister made these remarks in Parliament in response to Questions for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Imran Maharoof.Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne stated that the Department of Posts was established in 1798 and that it currently provides its services through an extensive island-wide network. She further stated that there are currently a total of 647 post offices in Sri Lanka, comprising 52 Grade A post offices, 294 Grade I post offices, and 301 Grade II post offices. In addition, 3,282 sub-post offices are operating across the island.She further stated that the Department of Posts currently employs 17,830 permanent employees and 1,660 registered substitutes, bringing the total workforce to 19,490. However, the Department has a total of 7,881 vacancies, the Deputy Minister disclosed in Parliament. These include 4,753 vacancies for permanent employees and 3,128 vacancies for registered substitutes.The Deputy Minister also stated that several measures have already been taken to fill these vacancies. According to her, 21 Postal Superintendents in Grade III of the Executive Service category have been recruited through internal recruitment. Furthermore, 461 Postal Service Officers have been recruited through an open competitive examination, while 732 Postal Assistants have been granted permanent appointments. In addition, 40 drivers have been recruited through an open competitive examination, and 367 Sub-Postmasters have also been granted permanent appointments. It was further revealed in Parliament that interviews have commenced islandwide to recruit 1,000 registered substitutes.
2026-08-19
The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, informed Parliament today (Aug. 19) that he had received copies of three petitions in respect of the Bill titled “Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution” and a copy of a petition in respect of the Bill titled “Judicature (Amendment)” filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution.
2026-08-18
The Hon. Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certification today (18) on the Animals (Amendment) Bill and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Bill.The Bill to amend the Animals Act, No. 29 of 1958 was presented to the Parliament of Sri Lanka for First Reading by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation on 21.07.2026 and was passed by Parliament on 06.08.2026.The primary objective of this amendment is to broaden the legal definition of the term “animal” in Section 38 of the principal Act. In addition, by redefining the term “animal”, the amendment ensures that goats, pigs and sheep are brought within the scope of the provisions of Part II of the Act. Further, the relevant definitions have been clarified in relation to Part IV of the Act to include sheep, goats, pigs and poultry.The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Bill was presented to Parliament for First Reading by the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply on 21.07.2026 and was also passed by Parliament on 06.08.2026.The amendment modernizes the National Water Supply and Drainage Board Law, No. 24 of 1974, and strengthens the powers and functions of the Board relating to the provision of water supply and wastewater management services.The responsibilities of the Board have also been expanded to include water and wastewater management services in industrial estates, industrial parks and community-based organizations. In addition, the amendment makes provisions for expanding employee insurance schemes, technical services, training services, laboratory services and consultancy services to support more effective and sustainable water and wastewater management.Accordingly, the Animals (Amendment) Bill has been enacted as the Animals (Amendment) Act, No. 19 of 2026, while the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Bill has been enacted as the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Act, No. 20 of 2026.
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