2021-06-23
Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as a new Member of Parliament before the Hon. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today (23).
After the official oath / affirmation taken before the Hon. Speaker, he signed in the Member Roll kept before the Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake.
Parliamentarian Ranil Wickremasinghe, who was elected to Parliament from the United National Party in 1977, holds the record of representing the Parliament of Sri Lanka 42 years consecutively up until the 8th Parliament and also holds the record for holding office as the Prime Minister of the country. He has held a number of positions as a cabinet minister, including being the Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition.
Parliamentarian Ranil Wickremasinghe, 73, will represent the 9th Parliament as a UNP National List Member.
Born on the 24th of March, 1949, Ranil Sriyan Wickramasinghe was the Prime Minister of the previous Government of good governance.
He started his political career as the Chief Organizer of the United National Party in the Kelaniya electorate in the mid-1970s and was later appointed as the Chief Organizer of the Biyagama electorate. In 1977 he was first elected a Member of Parliament under the J. R. Jayewardene Government as the youngest Minister holding the position of Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment.
Parliamentarian Wickremasinghe also served as the Leader of the House of Parliament from March 06th, 1989 to May 07th, 1993 and was the Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 2001 and from 2004 to 2015.
He was first elected as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on May 7th, 1993 and held office until August 19th, 1994. He holds the record for holding office as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka the most number of times (five times).
Parliamentarian Wickremasinghe has acted in his capacity as Prime Minister for the second time from 9th December 2001 to 6th April 2004, the third time from 9th January 2015 to 17th August 2015, the fourth time from 17th August 2015 to 26th October 2018 and the fifth time from 16th December 2018 to 21st November 2019.
An alumnus of Royal College, Colombo, Ranil Wickramasinghe was later elected to the Law Faculty of the University of Colombo and was sworn in as a Lawyer. He is the only person in Sri Lanka to hold office as Prime Minister graduating from a Sri Lankan University.
As the Minister of Education from 1980 to 1988 Distance English Teacher Training also known as DELIC Teacher Training, in service distance service teacher training, school lunch, establishment of Meepe Aesthetic Institute, expansion of informal education, commencement of district teacher service as a solution to the shortage of teachers, extension of teacher service to 60 years, Bhikku teacher training, establishment of school development societies, establishment of school supervision units, school planning units, provision for the distribution of free text books, establishment of divisional education offices, National Youth Services Council and the establishment of a student counseling service are some of his educational reforms.
In addition, Ranil Wickremasinghe created the Faculty of Education system for teacher training. In 1988, he established 09 National Faculties of Science and established the National Institute of Education for Educational Research.
Ranil Wickremasinghe is profound in literature and is well versed in history, archeology, law, economics, Buddhist philosophy, universal literature and biographies. He is interested in studying various religions and philosophies and has authored a book entitled 'Politics and Dhamma' based on the Tripitaka, Dhammapada, Buddhist Literature and Political Theory.
Prof. Maithri Wickramasinghe, Senior Professor in the Department of English Studies, University of Kelaniya is his beloved spouse.
2026-09-14
Acting Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyratne has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission that a vacancy has arisen in Parliament of a Member of Parliament following the resignation of M.S. Abdul Wahid, National List Hon. Member of Parliament representing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Election Commission, the Acting Secretary General of Parliament stated that Mr. M.S. Abdul Wahid had submitted to him a letter of resignation from his office as a Member of Parliament.According to the letter submitted by Mr. M.S. Abdul Wahid, the resignation will take effect from 14 September 2026, the Acting Secretary General further stated.Accordingly, the Chairman of the Election Commission has been informed, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, that a vacancy has arisen in a seat of the Tenth Parliament.
2026-09-11
H.E. Wei Huaxiang, the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliament premises recently (Sep. 10). Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera was also present at the meeting.The Hon. Speaker warmly welcomed Ambassador H.E. Wei Huaxiang and congratulated him on his appointment, while reaffirming the longstanding friendship and close relations between Sri Lanka and China.The Hon. Speaker expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the continued support extended by China to Sri Lanka as a true friend, particularly during various challenging periods, including the country’s recent economic crisis. He also appreciated China’s assistance following the recent Ditwah Cyclone and its continued support for the people of Sri Lanka, including the provision of school uniform material.Highlighting the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the Hon. Speaker noted the steps taken to strengthen cooperation between the two Parliaments, including parliamentary exchange programmes. He said further initiatives and future programmes would be pursued through the Sri Lanka–China Parliamentary Friendship Association to further deepen relations between the two countries.The Hon. Speaker also briefed the Ambassador on the Government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and advance national reconciliation. He observed that cooperation between Sri Lanka and China has expanded into a wide range of sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang thanked the Hon. Speaker for the warm welcome and said he had been deeply impressed by the friendliness and smiles of the Sri Lankan people. Referring to Sri Lanka as a “beautiful Island of Smiles,” he expressed his appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended to him since his arrival in the country.The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding historical ties between China and Sri Lanka, noting the centuries of maritime and cultural exchanges between the two nations. He said bilateral relations had continued to strengthen since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka.Referring to recent high-level engagements, Ambassador Wei noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya during their respective visits to China in 2025. He said these high-level engagements had provided new strategic direction for the further development of bilateral relations.The Ambassador stated that China regards Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and expressed China’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation in support of Sri Lanka’s economic development and efforts to improve the livelihoods of its people.Both sides also highlighted the significance of 2027, when Sri Lanka and China will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact.Ambassador Wei Huaxiang further expressed his commitment to working towards strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two countries, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese institutions and citizens in Sri Lanka.
2026-09-11
Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution to be Debated on September 24 and 25The Parliamentary Business for the next Parliamentary Week, scheduled to be held from September 22 to 25, has been decided.The decisions were taken at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held yesterday (Sep. 10), under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.On each day that Parliament meets, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for Parliamentary Business specified under Standing Orders 22(1) to 22(6). The period from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while the period from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Accordingly, on Tuesday, September 22, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2497/37 under the Petroleum Resources Act and the Promotion of Export Agriculture (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) will be taken up for debate at.Thereafter, at 5.00 p.m., the Tredso Development Foundation (Incorporation) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill, is scheduled to be taken up for Second Reading and thereafter referred to the Legislative Standing Committee.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., an Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the Opposition is scheduled to be taken up for debate.On Wednesday, September 23, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the debate on the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka Bill (Second Reading) will be held.Thereafter, the period from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Thursday, September 24, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., time has been allocated for the Second Reading debate on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill.It was agreed that the two-day debate would be held subject to the Hon. Speaker making an announcement to Parliament following the delivery of the Supreme Court determination on the petitions filed against the respective Bills under Article 121 of the Constitution.On Friday, September 25, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., it has been decided to continue the Second Reading debate on the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill for the second day.
2026-09-09
The Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Sep. 09).The debate on the second reading of the Bill was held in Parliament from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. today, following which the Bill was passed without a division.The Bill was presented to Parliament for its first reading on 4th August 2026.The Bill has been introduced to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009. The Act was enacted in 2009 to carry out functions including the coordination of activities between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, in accordance with the requirements of the time.Accordingly, with the repeal of the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009, the position of Chief of Defence Staff is also set to be repealed under this Bill.Furthermore, upon the commencement of this Act, all movable and immovable property belonging to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff will be transferred to the Ministry of Defence.
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