General Guidelines and Instructions for Visitors
Security Information
- To ensure the safety of everyone inside the Parliament premises, several security measures must be followed during your visit.
- You must carry a pass issued by the Serjeant-at-Arms, valid for the day of your visit and throughout your stay within the Parliament premises. Keep this pass with you at all times until you leave the building.
- The initial pass is issued at the Jayanthipura Parcel Counter, and the pass to enter the Parliament Building is provided at the Public and Government Official Reception Counters.
- Visitors must wear the ID tag (except visitors to the gallery) issued by the relevant counter, at all times while in the Parliament Building.
- Passes may be cancelled without a prior notice. In such cases, we will inform the relevant parties as much as possible.
- For security reasons, the following items are not allowed in the Galleries:
- Parcels, handbags, briefcases, travelling bags, or any kind of bag or wallet
- Books, documents, pens, pencils, or any type of stationery
- Raincoats, caps, umbrellas, cameras
- Electric or electronic tools or accessories, including mobile phones and smartwatches
- Cigarettes, tobacco, betel, smoking pipes, food items, etc.
- Any other items deemed not permissible in the Public Gallery
- Visitors should refrain from bringing such items to the Parliamentary Complex.
- Visitors must adhere to the Parliament dress code. Failure to do so may result in being denied entry.
- Follow the rules regarding vehicles and parking when entering the Parliament premises.
- All visitors are subject to a body search at the Jayanthipura Entrance, Public Entrance, Public Officials Entrance, Staff Entrance and Gallery Entrance.
- You must allow Police Officers to conduct physical searches at these security checkpoints. In the event of a suspicious incident, you may be subject to a search in areas other than those mentioned above.
- Visitors to the Gallery can enter the Parliament Building through the Public Entrance Door and proceed to the Public Gallery via the western staircase. Police Officers, Public Outreach Officers and Security Officers will direct you, and you must not enter any other areas as this is strictly prohibited.
- Visitors to the Parliament must use only the Jayanthipura Entrance. Visitors accompanied by a Member of Parliament or a Parliament staff member must also use this entrance.
- After identity confirmation and a body search, approved visitors may travel to the Public Entrance by permitted vehicle or use the Parliament shuttle bus service. Visitors are prohibited from using any other entrances.
- Those on a guided tour must be accompanied by a Public Outreach Officer. Staying inside the Parliament building without an Outreach Officer is strictly prohibited.
Search and Screening
- Your belongings will also go through a thorough security check before entering the Parliament.
- Security measures including security cameras are in operation 24/7.
Visiting Galleries
To visit the Public Galleries, you need permission from the Serjeant-at-Arms. Please refer to "Plan Your Tour" for the permission process.
Visitors to the Gallery must carry a Gallery Pass. It is strictly prohibited to enter any area other than the Parliament Gallery with these passes.
Dos and Don’ts
- Make sure you dress appropriately as those dressed in shorts and skinnies will not be allowed to enter. You are allowed to wear long trousers, shirts, and t-shirts, as long as they are respectful of the democratic environment. You are also allowed to wear your cultural attire.
- Maintaining complete silence in the Public Gallery and throughout the building is a must. Your quiet behavior ensures smooth functioning of the operations at the Parliament.
- You are allowed to enter the Public Gallery along the Western staircase. The Police Officers on duty will direct you to the gallery. However, make sure you do not stray into other areas as you are prohibited from doing so.
- Do not touch or cause damage to the audio equipment and other equipment fixed in the Public Gallery and in other places of the building.
- Please follow the directions of the Parliament Security Officer, Police Officer or Outreach Officer on duty regarding seating. They are authorized to remove individuals from the Public Galleries if disturbances occur in the Chamber, so please cooperate with their instructions.
- The following activities are strictly prohibited in the galleries: Bringing anything into the gallery, talking, clapping, cheering, making noise, cracking jokes, walking around or standing, making fun, using facial expressions to signal, peeping into the Chamber, pointing fingers, or hands, extending legs towards the Chamber, waving or signaling to Ministers or Members of Parliament, dozing off, taking notes, and reading books or papers, jumping over security fences, occupying seats in the Press Gallery and any act that disturbs Parliamentary proceedings.
- Do not flock on the banks of Diyawanna Oya. Ensure that children as well as others in your group do not remain close to those banks.
Your Conduct During the Tour
While in the Parliamentary premises, you are subjected to the Parliamentary Powers and Privilege Act, regulations, Standing Orders, and general laws of Sri Lanka. You must adhere to all instructions and guidelines provided by the authorities.
Your actions must not disturb the democratic proceedings within the Parliamentary premises. Therefore, during your tour:
- You must remain silent.
- You may only visit places you are permitted.
- You must not disturb Members of Parliament or staff.
- You must not engage in any prohibited activities.
- You must strictly follow the Parliament dress code.
- Do not touch or damage artifacts, furniture, or any equipment.
Non following of above instruction may subjected to arrest without warrant according to powers granted by the Parliament Powers and Privilege Act.
Visits with Children
Infants are not permitted in the Public Gallery during Parliamentary sessions.
Additionally, infants and children below the age of 10 are not allowed to sit in the first row of the Gallery.
Children bellow 10 years old are not allowed in the Galleries during sitting days.
