2026-08-21
News Categories : News
Parliament today (Aug. 21) expressed its condolences to the late veteran singer Dr. Nanda Malini, recalling her immense contribution to Sri Lankan music and society. Accordingly, a minute of silence was observed in the Chamber following a request by Hon. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
Speaking thereafter, the Prime Minister said she was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Nanda Malini, who was revered as the “golden voice” of Sri Lankan music and who, through her distinctive singing career spanning more than eight decades, enriched the country’s music and culture.
The Prime Minister further stated that, as an admirer who had listened to Nanda Malini’s many songs and experienced different moments of life accompanied by those songs, her passing was not merely the loss of an unparalleled artistic personality in Sri Lankan music. It was also the departure of a familiar voice that had been closely connected to our lives and memories, and that had been with us through moments of both happiness and sorrow.
She noted that Nanda Malini’s songs were deeply connected to the experiences of generations, and that the memories associated with her beautiful voice are felt even more strongly following her passing. The Prime Minister said that Nanda Malini’s singing career represented not only an era in Sri Lankan music, but also a living expression of the lives of the people, social movements and human emotions of the country.
Going beyond singing about human emotions such as love and separation, Nanda Malini gave voice through her songs to the sorrow, fear, hopes and struggles of ordinary people, the Prime Minister recalled. That was why, when listening to her songs, people heard not merely the voice of a singer, but the voice of their own society.
The Prime Minister said that, at this moment of mourning Nanda Malini’s passing, she was remembering not only an incomparable artist who had been lost to Sri Lankan music, but also a beloved voice that was connected to many memories in the lives of the people. She also noted that although the voice that had accompanied the people for decades has now fallen silent, the songs she sang would continue to live on in their memories and hearts. She expressed her deepest condolences to Nanda Malini’s two daughters and all members of her family, as well as to the people of Sri Lanka who loved her singing voice.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that he personally knew Dr. Nanda Malini and described her as one of the greatest singers produced by Sri Lanka. He said she was an artist who never bowed to anyone and who always stood up for the people, possessing an exceptional sense of humanity, kindness and compassion.
Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, who also spoke on the occasion, said that he joined the sentiments expressed in the Chamber in memory of the late Dr. Nanda Malini. On behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, he expressed the hope that she may attain Nibbana.
2026-08-21
The Supplementary Estimate to provide Rs. 7500 million required by the Government to purchase paddy from the 2026 Yala season was approved by Parliament today (Aug. 21). The debate on the Supplementary Estimate was held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.The Supplementary Estimate was presented to allocate Rs. 7500 million from the funds allocated for projects/programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for 2026, which are expected to remain unutilized during the year, for the purchase of paddy.
2026-08-20
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. 20). 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.
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