Today (29) marks the 40th anniversary of the relocation of the Parliament of Sri Lanka to its present building in Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte.
Due to the lack of space in the Parliament Building at Galle Face, necessity arose to move it to another building. It was proposed to construct a new Parliament building at Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte. Accordingly, the construction of the new Parliament complex commenced in the year 1979 on a small 16-acre island at the heart of the Diyawanna Oya in the Kotte area in Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte.
Under the guidance of the then President J. R. Jayewardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa, the then Prime Minister directed the construction of this building. Accordingly, Geoffrey Bawa was selected as the Chief Architect and a Japanese company was assigned to construct the new building. Locality has been given priority in all architectural splendorsplendour of the Parliament building which is based on the Sri Lankan traditions.
Construction of the building at Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte was completed in 1982 and the new Parliament was ceremonially opened on April 29, 1982. Accordingly, the proceedings of the Parliament located at Galle Face were moved to the newly constructed Parliament at Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte on the said date.
Especially with the opening of the new Parliament building, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte became the main administrative city of Sri Lanka.
Entrance to the present Parliament premises falls through a road consisting a row of iron wood trees. 'Ambalam', built according to the old architectural style under the concept of bringing people closer to the Parliament can be seen around the Parliament premises. These places are said to have been built for the purpose of bringing together politicians and the people of their electorates to facilitate conversation. A beautiful pond is visible at the entrance to the building.
Near the main entrance to the Parliament, you can see some of the great murals of the artist Dr. Manjusri. The main entrance of the chamber is made of copper, covered with a silver plate. The preamble of the Constitution of Sri Lanka is engraved in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The chamber of Parliament is rectangular in shape and is spread over two floors. Also, the silver-plated chandelier hanging in the center of the chamber adds solemnity to the chamber.
2026-08-21
The Supplementary Estimate to provide Rs. 7500 million required by the Government to purchase paddy from the 2026 Yala season was approved by Parliament today (Aug. 21). The debate on the Supplementary Estimate was held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.The Supplementary Estimate was presented to allocate Rs. 7500 million from the funds allocated for projects/programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for 2026, which are expected to remain unutilized during the year, for the purchase of paddy.
2026-08-21
A minute of silence observed in the Chamber to express condolencesParliament today (Aug. 21) expressed its condolences to the late veteran singer Dr. Nanda Malini, recalling her immense contribution to Sri Lankan music and society. Accordingly, a minute of silence was observed in the Chamber following a request by Hon. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.Speaking thereafter, the Prime Minister said she was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Nanda Malini, who was revered as the “golden voice” of Sri Lankan music and who, through her distinctive singing career spanning more than eight decades, enriched the country’s music and culture.The Prime Minister further stated that, as an admirer who had listened to Nanda Malini’s many songs and experienced different moments of life accompanied by those songs, her passing was not merely the loss of an unparalleled artistic personality in Sri Lankan music. It was also the departure of a familiar voice that had been closely connected to our lives and memories, and that had been with us through moments of both happiness and sorrow.She noted that Nanda Malini’s songs were deeply connected to the experiences of generations, and that the memories associated with her beautiful voice are felt even more strongly following her passing. The Prime Minister said that Nanda Malini’s singing career represented not only an era in Sri Lankan music, but also a living expression of the lives of the people, social movements and human emotions of the country.Going beyond singing about human emotions such as love and separation, Nanda Malini gave voice through her songs to the sorrow, fear, hopes and struggles of ordinary people, the Prime Minister recalled. That was why, when listening to her songs, people heard not merely the voice of a singer, but the voice of their own society.The Prime Minister said that, at this moment of mourning Nanda Malini’s passing, she was remembering not only an incomparable artist who had been lost to Sri Lankan music, but also a beloved voice that was connected to many memories in the lives of the people. She also noted that although the voice that had accompanied the people for decades has now fallen silent, the songs she sang would continue to live on in their memories and hearts. She expressed her deepest condolences to Nanda Malini’s two daughters and all members of her family, as well as to the people of Sri Lanka who loved her singing voice.Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that he personally knew Dr. Nanda Malini and described her as one of the greatest singers produced by Sri Lanka. He said she was an artist who never bowed to anyone and who always stood up for the people, possessing an exceptional sense of humanity, kindness and compassion.Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, who also spoke on the occasion, said that he joined the sentiments expressed in the Chamber in memory of the late Dr. Nanda Malini. On behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, he expressed the hope that she may attain Nibbana.
2026-08-20
The Committee on Parliamentary Business, which met today (Aug. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, decided to take up for debate tomorrow, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Supplementary Estimate seeking approval for the allocation of Rs. 7500 million (7.5 billion) required by the Government to purchase paddy during the 2026 Yala season.The Supplementary Estimate has been presented to provide Rs. 7.5 billion from the funds allocated in 2026 for projects and programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, which are expected to remain unutilized during the current year, for the purpose of making the required payments.Thereafter, the Adjournment Motion to be presented by the Government is scheduled to be debated from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2026-08-20
The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Aug. 20). The debate on the Second Reading of the Bill was held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thereafter, the Bill was passed without a vote.The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was introduced to increase the fines applicable to offences under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956, from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.
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