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.
2026-10-23
Of the Rs. 25,000 million allocated for the ‘Prajashakthi’ National Poverty Eradication Programme, Rs. 23,000 million has been allocated for projects identified by Community Development Councils at the district level, while the remaining Rs. 2,000 million is being utilised to implement medium-scale projects identified at the national level, according to a written response tabled in Parliament by Hon. Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.These details were revealed in the Minister’s response to questions raised by Hon. Ajith Gihan, Member of Parliament, seeking oral answers.According to the response tabled in Parliament, under the Prajashakthi National Programme, a total of 15,725 projects valued at Rs. 24,221.38 million have been initiated. Of these, 15,316 projects are being implemented under livelihood development, 273 projects under education, and 136 projects under health. Community Development Councils established at the Grama Niladhari Division level are responsible for identifying projects that directly address the multidimensional poverty identified in their respective districts and Divisional Secretariat Divisions. These projects are being implemented under several key areas, including the production economy, food security, social environment, human resource development, care and protection, supply networks, and accessibilityAll these projects are scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2026.Meanwhile, specialized projects for schoolchildren with disabilities are being implemented by the Department of Social Services and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities. The Ministry of Education and other line ministries also provide financial assistance and other concessions to schoolchildren with disabilities.In addition, specialized projects, financial assistance, concessions and welfare programmes are being implemented to empower persons with disabilities and their families.
2026-10-22
A range of research activities is being carried out to improve productivity in pepper cultivation, including studies on genetic characterisation and evaluation, disease and pest management, crop improvement, plant nutrition management, agronomic practices, post-harvest technology, value addition and measures to minimise the impact of climate change, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said.The Deputy Minister made these remarks in Parliament while responding to questions raised for oral answers by Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law, Member of Parliament.He further stated that Gampaha, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Badulla, Monaragala, Ratnapura and Kegalle have been identified as the main pepper-producing districts in Sri Lanka.The pepper varieties currently cultivated in the country include the local variety, Panniyur 1 and local selections such as Dingiri Rala, Kohukumbure Rala and Bootawe Rala.Several programmes have been introduced to expand pepper cultivation. These include the free provision of planting materials, investment assistance for establishing new cultivations, the distribution of free pepper plants under small-scale home gardening programmes, and the provision of technical knowledge and other assistance to improve productivity.Measures are also being taken to help pepper cultivation adapt to changing climatic conditions through the introduction of suitable irrigation methods. In addition, investment assistance is provided for equipment and systems to prevent animal damage, while efforts are being made to strengthen disease and pest management.The Deputy Minister noted that Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are being promoted to ensure that pepper products meet international standards. Investment assistance is also provided for post-harvest technology and equipment to improve product quality and encourage the production of value-added products.Furthermore, initiatives are being implemented to convert pepper cultivations into organic farming systems to facilitate access to overseas markets. Technical guidance and investment assistance are provided to obtain the necessary organic certification and other relevant certifications. The establishment of export-oriented agricultural villages is another measure being pursued to expand the sector.The Deputy Minister further stated that farmers are provided with knowledge on pepper cultivation through media channels and awareness programmes. In addition, advisory services are offered to pepper producers to support exports, while initiatives are being implemented to connect producers with suppliers and buyers.
2026-10-22
The total length of electric fences currently in place covering wildlife elephant corridors and surrounding areas in Sri Lanka is 5,787.89 kilometres, while the construction of such electric fences is carried out along the boundaries of wildlife reserves, depending on the physical conditions prevailing in the respective areas, according to a response tabled in Parliament by Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi.The above information was revealed in response to Questions for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama.According to the response, a 27-member committee has been appointed with Cabinet approval to formulate plans for 2026 to address the human-elephant conflict and threats posed by wild elephants. The committee is currently preparing the relevant plan.A total of Rs. 618.89 million was spent during 2025 on the construction and maintenance of electric fences. The expenditure covered the construction of electric fences, guard huts, purchase of electric fence equipment, food allowances for Civil Security personnel and fuel for the maintenance of electric fences, maintenance equipment, as well as the maintenance of electric fences.
2026-10-22
A total of 10,611 prisoners and 28,408 suspects are currently held in prisons, while the highest number of prisoners—3,423—are between the ages of 30 and 40, Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, said.The Minister made this revelation in Parliament on the Oct. 21st, in response to a Question for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Rohitha Abeygunawardena.According to the Minister, 2,860 prisoners are between the ages of 40 and 50, while 2,160 prisoners are between 20 and 30 years of age. A further 1,561 prisoners are between the ages of 50 and 60.Meanwhile, statistics presented by the Minister regarding prisoners incarcerated for failing to pay fines revealed that 1,454 prisoners are currently in prison because they are unable to pay the fines imposed on them. Of this number, 421 prisoners owe fines ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000, while 220 prisoners owe fines between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 25,000.In addition, 361 prisoners are serving prison sentences due to their inability to pay fines ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000, while 245 prisoners owe fines between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 100,000. The number of prisoners unable to pay fines exceeding Rs. 100,000 stands at 207, according to the statistics presented in Parliament.
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