Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka”
The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Sep. 08) announced in Parliament that he had received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Articles 121 (1) of the Constitution.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court has determined that;
(i) Clause 3(i) of the Bill is vague and is therefore inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the said clause is deleted.
(ii) Clause 4(o) of the Bill is inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the said clause is amended as proposed by the Court.
(iii) Clause 5(4)(b) of the Bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and may only be passed by the special majority required under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. The inconsistency would cease if the clause 5 is amended as proposed by the Court.
(iv) The rest of the clauses of the Bill are not inconsistent with the Constitution.
Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution, in respect of the Bill titled “Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution”
The Hon. Speaker also informed the Parliament that, he had received copies of petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution, in respect of the Bill titled “Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution” as mentioned below, in addition to the receipt of nine Petitions mentioned in his announcements dated 19th, 20th & 21st of August 2026: —
• Seven Petitions on 21st of August 2026
• Four Petitions on 24th of August 2026
• Eight Petitions on 25th of August 2026
• Five Petitions on 28th of August 2026
• Thirty-one Petitions on 31st of August 2026
• Ten Petitions on 01st of September 2026
• Three Petitions on 03rd of September 2026
• Two Petitions on 04th of September 2026
Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)”
The Hon Speaker announced that he had received copies of fifteen petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)”.
Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Judicature (Amendment)”
The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne further informed the Parliament that he had received seven more copies of Petitions filed at the Supreme Court in terms of the Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Judicature (Amendment)”, in addition to the receipt of the Petition mentioned in his announcement dated 19th of August 2026.
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.
2026-10-22
An amount of Rs. 655.824 million was spent in 2025 on the treatment and vaccination of patients affected by rabies, according to a written response tabled in Parliament by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.The Minister made this disclosure in response to questions raised by Hon. Parliamentarian Dinesh Hemantha, seeking oral answers.According to the response, 14 people died in 2025 after contracting rabies as a result of dog bites. Meanwhile, the total allocation for Public Health Veterinary Services in 2025 was Rs. 220 m, stated in the Minister’s response.The Minister further revealed that Rs. 51 million has been allocated for the rabies control programme implemented by the Public Health Veterinary Services Division in 2026. The programme includes a range of activities, including vaccination and sterilisation of dogs, as well as public awareness programmes.As of August 30, 2026, a total of 5,951 stray dogs in four districts had been sterilised under the programme. The Minister's response further stated that the rabies control programme is also being implemented in other districts.
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