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.
2026-10-07
The Appropriation Bill for the year 2027 was presented to Parliament today (Oct. 07) for its First Reading by Hon. Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning.The Appropriation Bill for the 2027 financial year provides for the allocation of financial resources required to meet government expenditure amounting to rupees four thousand nine hundred ninety two billion seven hundred seventy-three million three hundred eighty-eight thousand, as well as provisions authorizing the Government to obtain loans, among other matters.Accordingly, the 2027 Budget Second Reading, which includes the presentation of the Budget Speech and Budget Proposals, is scheduled to take place on 12 November 2026.Thereafter, the Second Reading Debate is scheduled to be held over seven days, from 13 November to 20 November, with the vote on the Second Reading scheduled for 6.00 p.m. on 20 November.Subsequently, the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held over 19 days, from 21 November to 14 December. The vote on the Third Reading of the Budget is scheduled to take place at 6.00 p.m. on 14 December.During the period of the Budget Debate, Parliament is scheduled to meet at 9.30 a.m. every day, including Saturdays, except on public holidays and Sundays.The 2027 Appropriation Bill provides the necessary legal framework for government expenditure during the financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2027, including the provision of financial resources for such expenditure and the authorization required for obtaining the relevant loans.
2026-10-07
The inaugural sitting of the Gurukula College Student Parliament was held on 2 October 2026 at the Old Parliamentary Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara.The programme was jointly organized by Gurukula College, the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the objective of providing the students of Gurukula College with practical experience of parliamentary procedures.Addressing the gathering, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara stated that student parliaments provide children with valuable experiences in leadership and create opportunities for them to develop as future leaders. She also highlighted the importance of developing skills and abilities from an early age and emphasized the importance of thinking beyond traditional frameworks.Assistant Director (Administration) of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Ms. Chula Herath, also briefed the students on Parliament and the legislative process.The inaugural sitting of the Gurukula College Student Parliament commenced with the election of the Speaker. This was followed by the swearing-in of the Prime Minister, Cabinet of Ministers and Members of Parliament. Subsequently, the respective student ministers briefed the House on the plans they proposed to implement through their ministries.Certificates were also presented to the students representing the Student Parliament, under the patronage of the invited guests.Delivering the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme, the Principal of Gurukula College, Dr. Kusala Fernando, expressed his appreciation for the series of programmes conducted by the Parliament of Sri Lanka for the future of the children of the nation.The programme was also attended by Director General of Presidential Public Relations Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Subhash Roshan, Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Major Nadeeka Dangolla, Director of the Department of Communication of Parliament of Sri Lanka Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, and a number of other officials.
2026-10-06
Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Oct. 06) endorsed the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill.The Bill was presented to Parliament on 7 August 2026 by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation. It seeks to update the legal and administrative provisions of the Promotion of Export Agriculture Act, No. 46 of 1992, and amend the existing legal framework relating to export agricultural crops.The amendments propose to update the administrative structure established under the Act by replacing the designation “Director” with “Director-General” and introducing the designations “Additional Director-General,” “Director,” “Deputy Director,” and “Assistant Director.”The definition of “export agricultural crop” has also been amended to include crops identified as having export potential in addition to their use for domestic consumption. However, it excludes specifically identified crops, including paddy, vegetables, fruits, root crops and certain food crops, as well as plantation crops.Accordingly, the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill has been enacted as the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Act, No. 24 of 2026.
2026-10-02
Parliament is scheduled to meet from October 6 to 9.The Parliamentary business for the relevant parliamentary week was decided at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, on Tuesday, October 6, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Parliamentary business as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Parliament is scheduled to debate two regulations published in Extraordinary Gazettes No. 2493/36 and No. 2493/37 under the Foreign Exchange Act, an Order published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2493/38 under the Foreign Exchange Act, and a resolution under the Public Debt Management Act.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., a Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Government will be taken up for debate.On Wednesday, October 7, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Parliamentary business as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, while from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers. Thereafter, from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of Parliament.Subsequently, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., an Adjournment Motion to be moved by the Opposition will be taken up for debate.On Thursday, October 8, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Parliamentary business as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Second Reading debate on the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill is scheduled to be held.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., time has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Friday, October 9, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Parliamentary business as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).From 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the following Private Members’ Motions are scheduled to be taken up for debate:Name of the Member of ParliamentTitle of the Private Member MotionHon. Dr. Harsha de SilvaProtection of the Diyagama ForestHon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney at LawFormulation of a programme to increase train services on the Puttalam Railway LineHon. Amirthanathan AdaikkalanathanAppointment of a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to seek the truth about the ethnic violence that occurred during the 'Black July' of 1983, to assess the damages and to make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such ethnic violenceHon. Lasith Bhashana GamageFormulation of a systematic methodology for the planting, scientific management, and maintenance of trees within road reservesHon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi, Attorney at LawConverting ;all Colleges of Education in Sri Lanka into University FacultiesHon. Chaminda WijesiriFormulating a programme to exercise justice to the individuals who have become the victims of microfinance loansHon. Ravi KarunanayakeMaking Sports Bodies in Sri Lanka free from politicizationThereafter, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., a Motion at the Adjournment Time to be moved by the Opposition will be taken up for debate.
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