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Welcome to the Parliament of Sri Lanka

The Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the supreme legislative body of Sri Lanka. Parliament solely holds legislative supremacy and thereby ultimate power over all other political bodies in the island.

Welcome to the Parliament of Sri Lanka

The Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the supreme legislative body of Sri Lanka. Parliament solely holds legislative supremacy and thereby ultimate power over all other political bodies in the island.

Welcome to the Parliament of Sri Lanka

Parliament is a strong institution that represents the majority of the nation empowered by the people’s mandate. It is also the sustainable foundation of representative democracy in this country. As people's representatives, Members of Parliament represent the voice of the Sri Lankan people.

Welcome to the Parliament of Sri Lanka

Parliament is a strong institution that represents the majority of the nation empowered by the people’s mandate. It is also the sustainable foundation of representative democracy in this country. As people's representatives, Members of Parliament represent the voice of the Sri Lankan people.

Welcome to the Parliament of Sri Lanka

The Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the supreme legislative body of Sri Lanka. Parliament solely holds legislative supremacy and thereby ultimate power over all other political bodies in the island.

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March 18, 2025

Parliament Approves the Establishment of Seven Sectoral Oversight Committees for the Tenth Parliament

Chairmanship of four Sectoral Oversight Committees allocated to the Government; three to the Opposition Parliament has approved the motion to establish seven Sectoral Oversight Committees for the Tenth Parliament. As per the decision taken by the Committee of Selection, the motion in this regard was presented to Parliament yesterday (Mar. 17) by the Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament and Minister Bimal Rathnayake, upon which the approval of the House was granted. Furthermore, an agreement was reached regarding the distribution of chairmanships of these Sectoral Oversight Committees between the Government and the Opposition. Accordingly, the chairmanships of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women's Empowerment, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection were agreed to be allocated to the Government. Meanwhile, approval was granted to allocate the chairmanships of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability to the Opposition.

March 18, 2025

Parliament Approves the Establishment of Seven Sectoral Oversight Committees for the Tenth Parliament

Chairmanship of four Sectoral Oversight Committees allocated to the Government; three to the Opposition Parliament has approved the motion to establish seven Sectoral Oversight Committees for the Tenth Parliament. As per the decision taken by the Committee of Selection, the motion in this regard was presented to Parliament yesterday (Mar. 17) by the Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament and Minister Bimal Rathnayake, upon which the approval of the House was granted. Furthermore, an agreement was reached regarding the distribution of chairmanships of these Sectoral Oversight Committees between the Government and the Opposition. Accordingly, the chairmanships of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women's Empowerment, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection were agreed to be allocated to the Government. Meanwhile, approval was granted to allocate the chairmanships of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability to the Opposition.

March 18, 2025

Speaker announces the committee appointed to look into the legal basis for implementing the recommendations of Parliamentary Committees

Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced today (Mar. 18) that as per the decision taken at the Committee on Parliamentary Business at its meeting held on 23rd January 2025, a four-member committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law, M.P., "to look into the legal basis for implementing the recommendations of Parliamentary Committees and to provide guidance on actions that can be taken within the Constitutional framework regarding the non-implementation of such recommendations." ‘’As per the decision taken at the Committee on Parliamentary Business at its meeting held on 15th March 2025, Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga, M.P. was also nominated as a member of the said committee” the speaker said. Accordingly, Hon. Speaker further informed that the five-member committee is chaired by Hon. Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law, and includes Hon. Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law, as well as Members of Parliament Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Hon. Ajith P. Perera, and (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga."

March 16, 2025

Second Reading Debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill to be held on March 20th from 6.00 PM to 8.00 PM - Committee on Parliamentary Business Decides

Parliament to convene on April 8th, 9th, and 10th Two-day debate on the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Batalanda Housing Scheme to commence on April 10th During the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held yesterday (Mar. 15), Chaired by the Hon. Speaker of Parliament (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, it was decided to hold the Second Reading of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill on March 20th from 6.00 PM to 8.00 PM, following the debate on the Appropriation Bill - Committee stage. It was also decided that Parliament will convene on April 8th, 9th, and 10th. Accordingly, on April 8th Tuesday, from 9.30 AM to 10.00 AM, the time has been allocated for Business of Parliament as per (1) to (6) of Standing Order 22 of Parliament. From 10.00 AM to 11.00 AM, the time will be allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 AM to 11.30 AM, the time has been reserved for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, the Second Reading of the Proceed of Crime Bill will take place until 5.30 PM. On April 9th Wednesday, from 9.30 AM to 10.00 AM, the time has been allocated for Business of Parliament as per (1) to (6) of Standing Order 22 of Parliament. From 10.00 AM to 10.30 AM, the time has been allocated for questions directed to the Hon. Prime Minister. From 10.30 AM to 11.00 AM, the time will be allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 AM to 11.30 AM, the time has been reserved for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, the Second Reading of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill will be held from 11.30 AM to 5.00 PM. Following that, from 5.00 PM to 5.30 PM, the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition will be debated. On April 10th Thursday, from 9.30 AM to 10.00 AM, the time has been allocated for Business of Parliament as per (1) to (6) of Standing Order 22 of Parliament. From 10.00 AM to 11.00 AM, the time will be allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while from 11.00 AM to 11.30 AM, the time has been reserved for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 AM to 5.30 PM, the debate on the "Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme," which was tabled in Parliament on the 14th, will take place. It was also decided to allocate another date in May to continue this as a two-day debate.

March 15, 2025

Collective Pledge for Justice Reforms and Demand for Ethical Reporting - NPP Women MPs

The Sexual Assault of a doctor in Anuradhapura hospital has once again sparked a discussion on our collective failure to combat violent crimes against women. While we express our solidarity and empathy with the survivor of this particular incident we also stress that regardless of the social category or the identity of the victim, our mission should be to dismantle the culture of violence against women. Every day we hear of one crime or the other against women, ranging from murder to sexual assault to sexual harassment at a workplace or in cyber space. Hate Speech against women is normalized indicating a deeper problem of a culture of misogyny which builds towards a culture of physical and sexual violence. It is important to understand that often normalized acts of online abuse and verbal harassment are part and parcel of a culture that considers women to be sub- human. If we take this particular incident we notice the same casual misogyny taking over what was initially an empathetic response from all quarters of the society. Therefore as women, who have continuously advocated for reforms to support survivors of violence and harassment, we consider it our duty to contribute to the public debate as we strive in our capacities to reform the systems tacking violence and harassment against women. We are especially deeply concerned about the publication of the victim’s statement in the media and the lack of sensitivity in our system towards violent crimes against women which leads to such lapses. The law enforcement authorities and the media must act with sensitivity towards survivors of violence and harassment. In a large number of cases women are discouraged to report incidents of violence and harassment to authorities precisely because of the stigma attached to their names from there on. Every survivor has a right to privacy. The judiciary, police and the media must prioritize the privacy and well-being of survivors if we are to encourage reporting of crimes to authorities. Often such violations of privacy lead to victim blaming on a large scale, as we see in this case too. Social media chatter about the supposed credibility of the actions of the woman following the crime creates a culture of shame and self-doubt which prevents women from reporting sexual assault to authorities. Therefore we request everyone to protect the privacy of the woman involved and refrain from gossiping and sharing misguided theories about such violent crimes. Survivors do not have one size fit all reactions. In order to combat this silent epidemic of violence against women we must center our justice system on the experience of women who face such situations. Therefore we urge that necessary reforms to our criminal justice system and media should be made to enhance our institutional capacity to combat violence against women. Clear and definite standards should be put in place for the police, the judges and the media to handle cases of crimes against women. As a society we need to approach these crimes with empathy protecting the privacy of the survivors without adding to her burden and discouraging women from coming forward to report and seek justice. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational EducationMs. Hemali Weerasekara, Deputy Chairperson of CommitteesMs. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child AffairsMs. Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law, Member of ParliamentDr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Member of ParliamentMs. Oshani Umanga, Member of ParliamentMs. Krishnan Kalaichelvi, Member of ParliamentMs. Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law, Member of ParliamentMs. M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, Member of ParliamentMrs. Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Member of ParliamentMrs. Samanmali Gunasingha, Member of ParliamentMrs.Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law, Member of ParliamentMs. Anushka Thilakarathne Attorney-at-Law, Member of ParliamentMs. A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe, Member of ParliamentMs. Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law, Member of ParliamentMs. Deepthi Wasalage, Member of ParliamentMs. Hiruni Wijesinghe Attorney-at-Law, Member of ParliamentMs. Ambika Samivel, Member of ParliamentMs. Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law, Member of ParliamentMs. Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law, Member of Parliament

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Business of the House

Business of the House for March 18, 2025

The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair.Announcements by the Speaker 1 : Members to serve in the Committee to look into the legal basis for implementing the recommendations of...

Business of the House for March 17, 2025

The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair.Announcements by the Speaker 1 : Receipt of a copy of a petition in respect of the Bill titled “Value Added Tax (Amendment)” filed at t...

Business of the House for March 15, 2025

The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair.Announcements by the Speaker 1 : Regarding of Parliamentary seat of the Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem becoming vacant2 : Clarification to th...

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Forthcoming Business of the House (Past)

March 15, 2025

Business of the House of Parliament for 20th of March, 2025

The Committee on Parliamentary Business which met on March 15th 2025 discussed the Business of the House for Thursday, the 20th March, 2025 and agreed as follows:- Thursday, March 20t...

February 11, 2025

Business of the House of Parliament for 14th and 17th of February, 2025

The Committee on Parliamentary Business which met on February 10th 2025 discussed the Business of the House for the special sitting day on Friday, the 14th February, 2025 and revised Business of the H...

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