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November 11, 2025

Announcements by the Hon. Speaker - 11.11.2025

Hon. Speaker announces in Parliament that the Hon. MPs, Ms. Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law, and (Dr.) Sellathambi Thilakanathan, have been nominated to serve in the Panel of Chairs  The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament today (Nov. 11) that, in terms of Standing Order 143 of the Parliament, he has nominated Hon. Members of Parliament (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney at Law and (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan, to be included in the Panel of Chairs to fill the vacancies arising from the appointments of Hon. (Dr.)(Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne and Hon. Aravinda Senarath as Deputy Ministers, from among the Members of the Panel of Chairs nominated to serve in the First Session of the Tenth Parliament.  In addition, Hon. Speaker informed that he has also nominated Hon. Members of Parliament Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran, Kins Nelson, M.K.M. Aslam, Upul Kithsiri, (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney at Law and Sujeewa Dissanayake to serve in the Panel of Chairs.

November 11, 2025

Announcements by the Hon. Speaker - 11.11.2025

Hon. Speaker announces in Parliament that the Hon. MPs, Ms. Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law, and (Dr.) Sellathambi Thilakanathan, have been nominated to serve in the Panel of Chairs  The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament today (Nov. 11) that, in terms of Standing Order 143 of the Parliament, he has nominated Hon. Members of Parliament (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney at Law and (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan, to be included in the Panel of Chairs to fill the vacancies arising from the appointments of Hon. (Dr.)(Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne and Hon. Aravinda Senarath as Deputy Ministers, from among the Members of the Panel of Chairs nominated to serve in the First Session of the Tenth Parliament.  In addition, Hon. Speaker informed that he has also nominated Hon. Members of Parliament Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran, Kins Nelson, M.K.M. Aslam, Upul Kithsiri, (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney at Law and Sujeewa Dissanayake to serve in the Panel of Chairs.

November 10, 2025

The Inaugural Session of the Student Parliament of Sivali Central College, Ratnapura held at the Old Parliament Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat

The inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Sivali Central College, Ratnapura was held on 04 November 2025 at the Old Parliament Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat. The event was held under the patronage of Hon. Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Also present on this occasion were Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, and Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary General of Parliament. This programme was jointly organized by Sivali Central College, Ratnapura, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the objective of providing the students of the college with practical exposure to parliamentary procedures. The event was also attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Subash Roshan Gamage, Director General of Public Relations of the Presidential Secretariat Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, and Director General Legal of the Presidential Secretariat Senior Attorney-at-Law Mr. J.M. Wijebandara. Addressing the student parliament, Hon. Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Speaker, emphasized the importance of maintaining proper discipline as members of parliament within the Student Parliament. He pointed out that an individual who does not abide by the law cannot take part in the process of law-making. Furthermore, he observed that a politician and a statesman are two different individuals while a politician acts with the next election in mind, a statesman makes decisions with the next generation in mind. Speaking at the event, Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, highlighted the positive habits and values that students can cultivate through participation in the Student Parliament, which in turn can help them build successful lives. She also cited examples from other countries where student parliaments are active, demonstrating how young people there contribute their ideas and proposals in addressing national issues. She further noted that a leader is not one who exercises power, but one who serves their society and country. Addressing the students, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary General of Parliament, first extended her best wishes to the Hon. Speaker of the Student Parliament and its members for their excellent command of language and presentation. She went on to explain the functions and responsibilities of Parliament, providing the students with insight into the manner in which parliamentary proceedings are conducted. The inaugural session commenced with the election of the Speaker of the Student Parliament, followed by the Prime Minister, Cabinet of Ministers, and Members of Parliament taking their oaths. Subsequently, each Minister of the Student Parliament presented to the assembly the plans proposed to be implemented under their respective ministries. Certificates were awarded to the students representing the Student Parliament under the patronage of the distinguished guests. The event was also graced by Major Nadeeka Dangolla, Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat, Captain Neel Dhammika Wathukarawatta, Principal of Sivali Central College, Ratnapura, members of the academic staff of the college, and officials of the Department of Communication of Parliament.

November 08, 2025

First phase of District Consultation Programme on Improving Disability Inclusive Service Delivery launched in Kilinochchi

“If the services you provide truly satisfy persons with disabilities, that same satisfaction will reflect back on you as a service provider.” - Hon. Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva   A special district-level Consultation Programme on Improving Disability Inclusive Service Delivery was held on 4th November 2025 at the Skill Development Centre of the Kilinochchi District Secretariat, under the patronage of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities. In line with the aspiration of creating a “Disability-Sensitive Parliament” the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities of the 10th Parliament, has initiated a series of consultation programmes across the island to gather direct opinions from persons with disabilities. Accordingly, the first phase of this initiative was conducted with a focus on the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. This special programme was chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities Sugath Wasantha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Member of Parliament and Deputy Co-Chair of the Caucus (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam. Nearly 100 participants attended the programme, including Kilinochchi District Secretary Mr. S. Muralitharan, Mullaitivu Additional District Secretary Ms. Satheesan Manjuladevi, representatives of local government institutions, Divisional Secretaries, officials representing the health sector and the police, representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, and persons with disabilities. The programme was conducted with the sponsorship and logistical support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with the funding support from Australian Government and, in collaboration with the District Secretariats of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Ms. Anojitha Sivaskaran, Programme Officer of IFES, was also present on this occasion. Addressing the gathering, Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, MP, requested all government officials to treat persons with disabilities who approach them for services with compassion and to ensure their needs are properly met. He emphasized that by viewing issues from the perspective of persons with disabilities, officials can better identify their true needs, and that the joy reflected in the smiles of satisfied service recipients can bring fulfillment to one’s professional life. He further noted that steps have been taken to amend the existing Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, incorporating changes that reflect developments over the past two decades. The proposed amendments also aim to include over 25 rights outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Alongside this, a National Policy and National Action Plan for persons with disabilities are being formulated. Deputy Co-Chair Hon. MP (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of conducting such programmes in the Northern Province, where the needs of persons with disabilities are significant. He further stressed that the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities of the Tenth Parliament stands above political divisions in pursuing necessary legal and policy reforms for the benefit of persons with disabilities. He also announced that the national programme marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be held this year in the Jaffna District. Additionally, he emphasized the continued importance of police support in enforcing road safety and compliance with traffic regulations. Kilinochchi District Secretary Mr. S. Muralitharan and Mullaitivu Additional District Secretary Ms. Satheesan Manjuladevi also expressed their views, noting that the current government benefits provided to persons with disabilities are insufficient to fully meet their needs, and highlighted the necessity of policy decisions to increase such benefits in the future. During the discussions, participants addressed a wide range of issues and challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, including the services that can be provided and improved at the local institutional level. Topics discussed in depth included; Shortage of social service officers, the need for a nationally recognized identity card for persons with disabilities, employment opportunities and security, difficulties in accessing health and transport services, provision of land for self-employment ventures, need for sign language interpretation services, issues related to issuing driving licenses to persons with disabilities, need for trained teachers for students with disabilities and availability of better-equipped schools in the district. The Caucus also presented recommendations and possible solutions to the matters raised. Following the consultation, the Chair of the Caucus stated that the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities will coordinate with relevant ministries and Parliament to implement necessary policy reforms. Officials present also assured that District Secretariats will follow up to ensure the proper implementation of decisions and improvements in local service delivery.






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