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November 19, 2025

Announcements by the Hon. Speaker - 19.11.2025

Speaker announces in Parliament that the MP D. V. Chanaka, has been nominated to serve on the Committee on Parliamentary BusinessThe Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Nov. 19) announced in Parliament that the Hon. D. V. Chanaka, Member of Parliament, has been nominated to serve in the Committee on Parliamentary Business by the Committee of Selection on 18 November 2025, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 130 (3) of the Parliament, to fill the vacancy occurred due to the resignation of the Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament, from the Membership of the Committee on Parliamentary Business. Meanwhile, the Hon. Speaker announced in Parliament that, having considered a complaint submitted by the Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law, M.P., during the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on 25th September 2025, regarding the conduct of the Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law, M.P., on 24th September 2025, in the Chamber, a three-member committee has been appointed by the speaker, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, the Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih, M.P., comprising the members the Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, M.P., and the Hon. R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, M.P., to investigate and report on the matter.The Hon. Speaker also announced that the Hon. Ajith P. Perera, Member of Parliament has been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 111 of Parliament and as per the motion agreed to by Parliament on 17 March 2025.Furthermore, Hon. Speaker announced that the Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability and the Hon. Chathura Galappaththi, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 111 of Parliament and as per the motion agreed to by Parliament on 17 March 2025. 

November 19, 2025

Announcements by the Hon. Speaker - 19.11.2025

Speaker announces in Parliament that the MP D. V. Chanaka, has been nominated to serve on the Committee on Parliamentary BusinessThe Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Nov. 19) announced in Parliament that the Hon. D. V. Chanaka, Member of Parliament, has been nominated to serve in the Committee on Parliamentary Business by the Committee of Selection on 18 November 2025, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 130 (3) of the Parliament, to fill the vacancy occurred due to the resignation of the Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament, from the Membership of the Committee on Parliamentary Business. Meanwhile, the Hon. Speaker announced in Parliament that, having considered a complaint submitted by the Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law, M.P., during the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on 25th September 2025, regarding the conduct of the Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law, M.P., on 24th September 2025, in the Chamber, a three-member committee has been appointed by the speaker, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, the Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih, M.P., comprising the members the Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, M.P., and the Hon. R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, M.P., to investigate and report on the matter.The Hon. Speaker also announced that the Hon. Ajith P. Perera, Member of Parliament has been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 111 of Parliament and as per the motion agreed to by Parliament on 17 March 2025.Furthermore, Hon. Speaker announced that the Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability and the Hon. Chathura Galappaththi, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 111 of Parliament and as per the motion agreed to by Parliament on 17 March 2025. 

November 19, 2025

Sri Lanka Highlights Milestone Progress on Gender Equality at the 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva

The delegation from Parliament of Sri Lanka participated in the meeting on gender equality held during the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva on 23 October 2025. The session, organized under the IPU’s Gender Partnership Programme, brought together representatives from Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and Zambia to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in advancing gender equality within Parliaments. Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga, Member of Parliament, addressed the forum and delivered an inspiring speech that highlighted Sri Lanka’s significant strides in increasing women’s political participation following the country's historic transformation in 2024. She emphasized the pivotal role played by women in shaping Sri Lanka’s renewed political landscape and shared insights into the nationwide movement “Gehenu Api Eka Mitata” (We, the Women together), which contributed to a remarkable rise of female representation in Parliament, from approximately 5% to 10% in a single election cycle. In her statement, the Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga stated: “Sri Lanka’s story is a testament to a simple truth: when women are empowered, the whole nation rises. We are sending a clear message to our daughters, and to the world, that no dream is too big, and no position is out of reach.” The delegation from Sri Lanka also included the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, whose presence underscored the growing leadership of women within Sri Lanka’s highest legislative institutions. The IPU commended the contribution of the Sri Lankan delegation and extended its gratitude through an official appreciation letter, recognizing Sri Lanka’s active role in the global effort to promote gender equality, diversity, and accessibility in the Parliaments.  Sri Lanka’s participation in this high-level dialogue reaffirms the nation’s commitment to strengthening gender equality and amplifying women’s voices in legislative processes. The Parliament looks forward to continued collaboration with the IPU and other member states to transform shared commitments into concrete actions for a more inclusive and representative democracy.

November 18, 2025

The Budget Heads of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs passed by a majority vote

Today (Nov. 18), on the third day of the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, the budget head of the Ministry of Defence (103) taken up for debate, was passed by a 92 majority of votes, with amendments. Following the debate of the Committee Stage held today at around 6:50 pm, Hon. Member of Parliament of the All-Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) G. G. Ponnambalam, called for a division for the budget head of the Ministry of Defence, and accordingly, 101 votes were cast in favor of it and 09 votes were cast against. Subsequently, Hon. Member of Parliament, G. G. Ponnambalam also called for a division for the budget head of the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs (225). Accordingly, 100 votes were cast in favor and 02 votes were cast against. The Budget Heads of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs was thus passed in Parliament by a majority vote.

November 18, 2025

Committee on Ways & Means focuses on the Social Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme, its process, and operational issues

Attention of the Committee on Ways & Means was drawn to the Social Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme, its procedures, and related operational issues. This took place when the Committee met in Parliament on 12.11.2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake. During this meeting, officials of the Welfare Benefits Board briefed the Committee on the manner in which the Social Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme is currently being implemented. The Committee also held an extensive discussion on the criteria used for selecting individuals eligible for the Social Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme. Members of the Committee pointed out to the officials that several issues had arisen in identifying the most appropriate beneficiaries through these criteria. The Committee noted that since individuals are selected under 22 criteria, there should be a change in the mechanism used to implement these criteria. It was further highlighted by the Committee that, at present, individuals are allowed to register only for the purpose of receiving benefits, but what is required is that all individuals in the entire country should enter all their information into a single system (a Social Registry). Once registered in this way, their precise needs can be identified and necessary measures can then be taken to cater to those needs. The Committee also held an extensive discussion regarding the possibility of delivering welfare benefits directly to the homes of senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Officials further informed the Committee that although some individuals are eligible for benefits, they are unable to receive them due to not possessing a National Identity Card. Accordingly, the Committee emphasized the importance of verifying their identities and ensuring that they receive the intended welfare benefits. Hon. Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha, Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe, and Nishantha Jayaweera and Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Sujeewa Senasinghe, K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, Rohana Bandara, Chathura Galappaththi, and Thilina Samarakoon and a group of officials, participated in this meeting.



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