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November 22, 2025

Budget heads of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mass Media passed without a vote

The Budget Heads of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mass Media, which were debated today (Nov. 22), the seventh day of the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, were passed with amendments, without a vote.

November 22, 2025

Budget heads of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mass Media passed without a vote

The Budget Heads of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mass Media, which were debated today (Nov. 22), the seventh day of the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, were passed with amendments, without a vote.

November 22, 2025

Parliamentary Committees look into the draft Bill of the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka

The document pertaining to the proposed draft Bill of the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority, which is scheduled to be presented to Parliament upon Cabinet approval in the future, was extensively discussed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, Members of the Sub Committee under the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment established to identify future steps to resolve the microfinance debt issue, and the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus. This discussion took place on the Nov. 20th, when the Committees met in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Members of Parliament Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law and Samanmalee Gunasinghe. A group of officials from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Legal Department of the Treasury were also in attendance. Presenting their views, the officials stated that the initial draft related to this proposed Bill was published in January 2024. They further noted that petitions had been filed before the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka regarding the said draft, and that the new draft has been prepared including the amendments ordered to be incorporated by the Supreme Court, the Committee Stage amendments submitted by the Ministry of Finance to the Supreme Court, as well as other policy-related amendments, and the Gazette has now been prepared accordingly. It was stated further that the Bill is expected to be presented to the Tenth Parliament. Accordingly, the officials stated that the objective of the Bill is to establish the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka, to regulate the business of money lending and microfinance business, to provide protection to customers of such services, and to repeal the Microfinance Act No. 6 of 2016. The composition of the Board of Directors of this Regulatory Authority was also discussed during the meeting. Hon. Member of Parliament Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law pointed out that the absence of a member representing the customers of the microfinance business within the Board composition was concerning. It was also highlighted by the Hon. Members that women have been disproportionately affected due to the lack of regulation in the microfinance sector, and therefore the importance of having a Board member representing women was emphasized. Accordingly, the view of the Hon. Members was that a representative from the National Commission on Women, or the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, or the Secretary to the line Ministry should be appointed as a member of the Board of Directors. Meanwhile, various other matters contained in the draft Bill were also discussed at length. It was stressed that the purpose of the Bill should be to prevent the social crisis and harm that have arisen at ground level due to the operation of microfinance lending activities without any form of regulation. Accordingly, the Committee instructed the officials to incorporate the necessary amendments into the Bill that is to be introduced in the future. The officials stated that such amendments may be introduced at the Committee Stage of the Bill. Members of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Members of the Sub Committee under the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment established to identify future steps to resolve the microfinance debt issue, and several officials participated in this meeting.

November 22, 2025

The progress of the institutions under the Ministry of Finance for the third quarter reviewed at the Committee on Public Finance

Approval of the Committee was granted for eight reports that must be approved by CoPF under the Ministry of Finance Act The overall financial performance up to September 2025 of the major revenue-generating institutions under the Ministry of Finance was reviewed at the meeting of the Committee on Public Finance. This review took place on the Nov. 20th, when the Committee on Public Finance, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva, met in Parliament. Accordingly, officials representing the Inland Revenue Department, the Sri Lanka Excise Department, and the Sri Lanka Customs presented the progress of their respective institutions for review. Officials representing the Public Debt Management Office also provided clarifications regarding the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy for the period 2026 - 2030 and the borrowing plan for 2026. Furthermore, officials representing the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka explained the progress of the institution. During this discussion, foreign direct investment was reviewed, and officials pointed out that from January to September 2025, USD 827 million in foreign direct investment had been received. Accordingly, the Committee observed that the Board of Investment and other institutions should take effective measures to ensure that foreign investment continues to grow steadily over the coming years. Furthermore, approval was granted for eight reports that must be approved by the Committee on Public Finance, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the State Finance Management Act No. 44 of 2024. Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayaweera, as well as Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake and Chithral Fernando, Attorney at Law, together with several others, attended this meeting.

November 22, 2025

Hon. Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi Elected as the President of the Sri Lanka – Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Association

Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka – Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament. The revival meeting of the Association was held yesterday (21) at the Parliament premises under the patronage of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka, H.E. Paitoon Mahapannaporn, graced the event as the Guest of Honour. Several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, were also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, the Hon. Member of Parliament Chandima Hettiarachchi was elected as the Secretary of the Association, while the Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath was elected as the Treasurer of the Association.   In the discussions, both parties highlighted the longstanding bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Thailand, which has continued since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1955. As nations enriched by shared Buddhist heritage, representatives reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in key sectors, including trade, investment, tourism, education, renewable energy, and cultural exchanges. Both sides expressed confidence that the revival of the Parliamentary Friendship Association will provide a robust platform to deepen collaboration and enhance mutual understanding between the two nations. Prior to the meeting, the Ambassador of Thailand paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker. Their discussion focused on avenues for expanding bilateral relations and fostering stronger ties between Sri Lanka and Thailand.



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