2026-10-15
The inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Ranabima Royal College, Peradeniya, was held on the 14th of October at the old Parliamentary Chamber located at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara.
The programme was jointly organized by the school, the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the aim of providing students of Ranabima Royal College, Peradeniya, with practical experience of parliamentary procedures.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara stated that Student Parliament programmes serve as a breeding ground for nurturing future leaders. She further emphasized that leadership is not an ornament, but a tool entrusted to individuals to improve the well-being of others. She also pointed out that youth and children bear the full responsibility for building a better society in the future as society progresses. In addition, she highlighted the importance of thinking beyond traditional boundaries.
The Head of the Human Resources Development Division of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and Assistant Director (Administration), Ms. Chula Herath, briefed the students on Parliament and the legislative process.
The inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Ranabima Royal College commenced with the election of the Speaker. Subsequently, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers and the group of Members of Parliament took their oaths of office. Thereafter, the respective student ministers informed the House of the plans they proposed to implement through their ministries.
Certificates were also awarded to the students representing the Student Parliament, with the participation of the invited guests.
Concluding the programme, the Principal of Ranabima Royal College, Mr. M. M. Perera, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed his appreciation for the series of programmes conducted by the Parliament of Sri Lanka to support the future of the nation’s children.
Several officials also attended the programme, including Director General of Presidential Public Relations Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Subhash Roshan, and Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla.
2026-10-15
The Navaratri religious ceremony of the Parliament of Sri Lanka is scheduled to be celebrated ceremonially on the Oct. 20th at the Parliament premises. Symbolizing Sri Lanka’s multi-religious harmony, the celebration is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, and other Ministers, Members of Parliament and dignitaries.Navaratri is a Hindu religious festival celebrated with devotion, generally in October each year. The festival is known as “Navaratri” because religious observances are conducted in honour of the goddesses over nine nights. During the first three days, devotees worship Goddess Durga, who is believed to have the power to dispel evil, negative qualities and shortcomings. The following three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who is revered as the goddess of wealth and prosperity and is believed to bestow lasting riches and good fortune upon her devotees. The final three days are devoted to Goddess Saraswati, who is regarded as the goddess of wisdom.Following these nine days, a special ceremony is held on the tenth day, known as “Vidya Arambham”. This ritual symbolizes the commencement of educational activities and is regarded as an auspicious occasion to begin learning.The ceremony is being organized by the Parliament of Sri Lanka, under the guidance of the Hon. Speaker, with the support of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
2026-10-13
A total of 53,604 kidney patients had been identified by August this year to receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000 each, revealed Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.The Minister made these remarks while responding in Parliament to questions for oral answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Rohana Bandara.He further stated that there is no waiting list for receiving the allowance and that eligible kidney patients who apply are paid the monthly allowance based on their eligibility.
2026-10-13
A total of 19,646 private buses are currently operating across the island, said Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, Hon. Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.The Hon. Deputy Minister made these remarks recently while responding in Parliament to a question for oral answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Ruwanthilaka Jayakody.He explained that inter-provincial private bus services are regulated by the National Transport Commission, while buses operating within individual provinces are regulated by the nine respective Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authorities.The Deputy Minister also stated that no individual has the legal authority or permission to collect money unlawfully from private buses at public bus terminals.He further noted that bus operators and staff have been informed of measures to prevent such illegal collections. If any such incidents are reported, the Sri Lanka Police will take the necessary legal action, he added.
2026-10-13
Sri Lanka’s population aged over 60 stands at 3,921,124, accounting for 18.002% of the country’s total population, according to the 2024 Census of Population and Housing, said Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.The Minister made these remarks recently while responding in Parliament to a question for oral answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Dhanushka Ranganath.The Minister further noted that 1,712,535 of the country’s elderly population are male, while 2,208,589 are female. Accordingly, males account for 43.67% of the elderly population, while females account for 56.33%.The National Secretariat for Elders and the National Council for Elders were established in June 2002 under the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act, No. 9 of 2000, the Minister stated.These institutions work to protect the rights of older persons, ensure their welfare and provide necessary services. Their key responsibilities include registering and regulating elder care homes, providing support to elder day-care centres, and empowering elderly committees, the Minister added.The Minister also stated that 44,899 senior citizen identity cards were issued in 2025, while 45,000 cards are expected to be issued in 2026. In addition, assistance is expected to be provided to 500 beneficiaries in 2026 to support renovation work and the provision of equipment at 25 elder care homes.
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