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.
2026-10-07
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.
2026-10-06
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.
2026-09-30
First Reading of the Budget - October 7 Budget Speech - November 12 The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided that the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2027 (Budget Speech/presentation of Budget proposals) will take place on November 12, 2026, followed by the Second Reading debate from November 13 to December 14.The decision was approved at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently (Sep. 25) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be presented to Parliament for its First Reading on October 7.It was further decided that the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill (Budget Speech) will be delivered by the Hon. President, in his capacity as the Minister in charge of Finance, on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Thereafter, the Second Reading debate will be held for seven days, from November 13 to November 20. Accordingly, the vote on the Second Reading will be held at 6.00 p.m. on November 20.Thereafter, the Committee Stage debate will be held for 19 days, from November 21 to December 14, with the vote on the Third Reading of the Budget scheduled for 6.00 p.m. on December 14.During this period, the Budget debate will be held every day, including Saturdays, except on public holidays and Sundays. Parliament is scheduled to meet at 9.30 a.m. on each of these days.From 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. each day, time will be allocated for the Parliamentary business specified under Standing Order 22(1) to (6). Thereafter, five Questions for Oral Answers will be taken up from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., followed by one question under Standing Order 27(2) from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.Accordingly, the debate is scheduled to be held from 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. On all days except the two days on which votes are scheduled to be taken, Motions at the Adjournment Time will be taken up for debate from 6.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., based on a 50:50 time allocation between the Government and the Opposition, the Secretary General further stated.It was also approved that during the Second Reading debate, 60% of the debate time will be allocated to the Government and 40% to the Opposition, while during the Committee Stage debate, 40% will be allocated to the Government and 60% to the Opposition.Furthermore, if a division is called for on a Expenditure Head relating to a Ministry, the relevant vote will be held at 6.00 p.m. at the conclusion of the proceedings on the respective day.
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