2026-08-28
A 25-member delegation of parliamentary officials from Sri Lanka, representing all nine departments in the Parliament of Sri Lanka, is participating in Capacity Building Programme at the Lok Sabha Secretariat in New Delhi.
This Capacity-Building Programme was initiated through the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka at the request of Ms. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Subsequently, under the direction of Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, arranged and facilitated the programme. As a result of this collaboration, 50 parliamentary officials from the Parliament of Sri Lanka were given the opportunity to participate in the programme.
The first batch of 25 Sri Lankan parliamentary officials participated in the programme in India last month. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Hansa Abeyrathne, Assistant Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Following this, the second batch of 25 Sri Lankan parliamentary officials, led by Ms. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, is currently in the programme in New Delhi.
Both programmes were conducted by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, with the objective of strengthening the professional knowledge, skills and institutional capacities of parliamentary officials.
The visiting officials were warmly received by senior officials of the Lok Sabha Secretariat upon their arrival at the VIP terminal of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
As part of their visit, the Sri Lankan parliamentary officials paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex before the commencement of their programme.
The capacity-building sessions cover a wide range of subjects related to parliamentary administration and functioning. These include international parliamentary relations and protocol, executive accountability to Parliament and the role and functions of parliamentary committees, the organisational structure of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the functioning of its Administration Branch.
The programme also provides participants with an opportunity to learn about the functioning and management of committee secretariats and branches, parliamentary privileges and ethics, and services provided to Members of Parliament, including members’ services, allowances and welfare.
Other key areas covered include preparation of the Secretariat’s budget, the functions of the Integrated Finance Unit (IFU) and Budget and Budgetary (B&B) branches, and the role and powers of presiding officers in legislatures.
The delegation visited the Parliament House to observe the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Chambers and the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. Visit to the Parliament Library Building are also included in the programme, provided the officials with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with India’s parliamentary infrastructure and support services.
In addition to the academic and institutional sessions, the programme also included a cultural visit to Agra. The programme forms part of ongoing parliamentary cooperation and capacity-building initiatives between India and Sri Lanka, providing officials from the two institutions with opportunities to exchange experiences and gain a deeper understanding of parliamentary procedures, administration and democratic institutions.
Senior officials of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, led by Ms. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, met with Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, in New Delhi and engaged in a cordial and fruitful discussion. During the meeting, Ms. Rohanadeera expressed her sincere appreciation to Shri Utpal Kumar Singh for arranging and facilitating the Capacity-Building Programme for Sri Lankan parliamentary officials and for the support extended towards its successful implementation.
In addition, the Secretary-General and a group of officials representing the Department of Communications of the Parliament of Sri Lanka also observed the operations of “Sansad TV,” the official television channel of the Indian legislature.
The continuation of the programme through successive batches highlights the growing institutional engagement between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the Lok Sabha Secretariat and contributes to the sharing of parliamentary expertise and best practices between the two countries.
2026-09-18
Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees of Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Hemali Weerasekara, stated that students should develop positive attitudes, a sense of responsibility, and empathy from their school years in order to build a leadership capable of bringing about meaningful change in the future of the country.She made these remarks as the Chief Guest at the inaugural sitting of the Third Student Parliament of Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo, held recently (Sep. 15) at the school auditorium.The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees also emphasized that modern technology should not be used solely for entertainment, but also as a means of gaining knowledge and creating positive change in society. She further pointed out that the experiences gained through participation in a Student Parliament provide an important foundation for future leadership.She also educated the students on the legislative functions of Parliament, the law-making process, and public financial oversight. In addition, she explained the responsibilities of a Member of Parliament and the oversight functions carried out through Parliamentary committees.At the commencement of the inaugural sitting of the Student Parliament, the Speaker was elected and the student Members of Parliament took their oaths. The students serving as Ministers presented to the House the programmes and development proposals they intended to implement within the school through their respective ministries.Certificates were also awarded to the members of the Student Parliament who participated in the occasion by distinguished invitees, including the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.The programme was jointly organized by Gothami Balika Vidyalaya and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the objective of providing the students of Gothami Balika Vidyalaya with practical experience in Parliamentary affairs and an understanding of the democratic governance process.The Director - Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mr. Samantha Mallawarachchi, Principal of Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Mrs. Upendra Piyasena, members of the teaching staff, parents, and students were also present at the occasion.
2026-09-18
A delegation from the South Asia Parliamentary Group of the German Parliament visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka on 16 September 2026 as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening Parliamentary dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.The delegation was headed by Hon. Nicklas Kappe, Member of the German Parliament, and included Hon. Gerold Otten, Hon. Johann Saathoff and Hon. Ms. Ulle Schauws, Members of the German Parliament. The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Sarah Hasselbarth, Chargé d’Affaires; Ms. Katerina Bienert, Staff Member of the Parliamentary Secretariat and Ms. Dharini Daluwatte, Senior Advisor, Political Affairs.The Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvi Salih welcomed the delegation and hosted a luncheon meeting with members of the Sri Lanka - Germany Parliamentary Friendship Association. The Chair of the Friendship Association, the Hon. Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law, along with several other Members of Parliament, participated in the meeting. Acting Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyrathne was also present.During the meeting, discussions focused on Parliamentary procedures and the committee system, enhancing women’s political participation and leadership, ensuring gender equality, and encouraging greater involvement of the younger generation in the political process. Views were also exchanged on the growing interest among young people in integrity and respect for the law. Discussions further addressed the resolution of ethnic and religious issues and the importance of building trust among all communities.Following the luncheon meeting, the delegation participated in a joint roundtable discussion with three Ministerial Consultative Committees and two Sectoral Oversight Committees. The participating committees were the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Energy, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.The Hon. Member of Parliament Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the Hon. Member of Parliament S. M. Marikkar, Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, together with several Members of Parliament representing the above Committees participated in the roundtable discussion. The Director Legislative Services Mr. M Jayalath Perera and a group of Parliamentary officials were also present.The Committees were invited to participate in the roundtable discussion in response to the areas of interest identified by the delegation, with the objective of facilitating a focused exchange of views on matters of mutual interest. The discussion provided an opportunity to share perspectives on the key roles, current activities and strategic priorities of the respective Committees. Among the areas discussed were waste management, water supply and treatment, power and energy, as well as other matters relating to economic and strategic development.The engagement provided a valuable platform for the exchange of experiences and perspectives between Parliamentarians of Sri Lanka and Germany and contributed to further strengthening Parliamentary dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries.
2026-09-14
Acting Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyratne has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission that a vacancy has arisen in Parliament of a Member of Parliament following the resignation of M.S. Abdul Wahid, National List Hon. Member of Parliament representing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Election Commission, the Acting Secretary General of Parliament stated that Mr. M.S. Abdul Wahid had submitted to him a letter of resignation from his office as a Member of Parliament.According to the letter submitted by Mr. M.S. Abdul Wahid, the resignation will take effect from 14 September 2026, the Acting Secretary General further stated.Accordingly, the Chairman of the Election Commission has been informed, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, that a vacancy has arisen in a seat of the Tenth Parliament.
2026-09-11
H.E. Wei Huaxiang, the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliament premises recently (Sep. 10). Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera was also present at the meeting.The Hon. Speaker warmly welcomed Ambassador H.E. Wei Huaxiang and congratulated him on his appointment, while reaffirming the longstanding friendship and close relations between Sri Lanka and China.The Hon. Speaker expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the continued support extended by China to Sri Lanka as a true friend, particularly during various challenging periods, including the country’s recent economic crisis. He also appreciated China’s assistance following the recent Ditwah Cyclone and its continued support for the people of Sri Lanka, including the provision of school uniform material.Highlighting the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the Hon. Speaker noted the steps taken to strengthen cooperation between the two Parliaments, including parliamentary exchange programmes. He said further initiatives and future programmes would be pursued through the Sri Lanka–China Parliamentary Friendship Association to further deepen relations between the two countries.The Hon. Speaker also briefed the Ambassador on the Government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and advance national reconciliation. He observed that cooperation between Sri Lanka and China has expanded into a wide range of sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang thanked the Hon. Speaker for the warm welcome and said he had been deeply impressed by the friendliness and smiles of the Sri Lankan people. Referring to Sri Lanka as a “beautiful Island of Smiles,” he expressed his appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended to him since his arrival in the country.The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding historical ties between China and Sri Lanka, noting the centuries of maritime and cultural exchanges between the two nations. He said bilateral relations had continued to strengthen since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka.Referring to recent high-level engagements, Ambassador Wei noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya during their respective visits to China in 2025. He said these high-level engagements had provided new strategic direction for the further development of bilateral relations.The Ambassador stated that China regards Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and expressed China’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation in support of Sri Lanka’s economic development and efforts to improve the livelihoods of its people.Both sides also highlighted the significance of 2027, when Sri Lanka and China will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang further expressed his commitment to working towards strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two countries, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese institutions and citizens in Sri Lanka.
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