2025-02-17
News Categories : News
The Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill was passed by a special majority, without amendments in Parliament today (Feb. 17).
The Second Reading debate pertaining to the said Bill was held today (17) from 2.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Thereafter, 187 votes were cast in favor of the Bill. Following being considered at the Committee stage, a division was called for the Third Reading of the Bill. Accordingly, 158 votes were cast in favor of the Bill. The Second Reading and the Third Reading of the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill was passed by a special majority, without amendments in Parliament.
2025-11-25
The final report of the said committee was handed over to the Speaker The final report prepared by retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma, who was appointed to investigate and report on whether any form of sexual harassment had occurred involving a female employee of Parliament was handed over to the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (Nov. 24). On 07.01.2025, Hon. Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman raised the matter in the Chamber, stating that a female employee of the Department of Information Systems and Management of Parliament had been subjected to sexual harassment. An internal inquiry was carried out based on the complaint and as the complainant was not satisfied with the outcome of this inquiry, the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee decided on 25.07.2025 to conduct an external investigation into the matter. Accordingly, retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma summoned all relevant parties, reviewed the information related to the incident, and prepared this final report. According to the final report submitted to the Hon. Speaker yesterday, it has been concluded based on the facts revealed during the investigation, that no sexual harassment had occurred to the officer who made the complaint. Furthermore, the report states that no incidents of sexual harassment have occurred involving any other female officers in that division.
2025-11-25
The Budget heads of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education were debated today (Nov. 25), the ninth day of the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, and were passed with amendments, without a vote.
2025-11-24
2025 Global Theme – “Let’s unite to end digital violence against all women and girls” Beyond lawmaking, a broader social responsibility and attention is required to eliminate gender-based violence, states Hon.Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj states that a proposal will be handed over to the Hon. Speaker to amend the Standing Orders in order to prevent women parliamentarians from being subjected to verbal or other forms of violence within Parliament Supporting the “16 Days of Activism” to end gender-based violence, a series of programmes was held today (Nov. 24) within Parliament. Accordingly, badges symbolizing the commitment to end gender-based violence were pinned onto Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Hon. Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne. Expressing their support for today’s programme, women parliamentarians as well as male parliamentarians, and members of the Parliamentary staff, arrived dressed in orange or orange-accented attire. During this programme organized by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), badges were also presented to the Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Hon. Leader of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake, Hon. Chief Government Whip Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and Hon. Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka. In addition, the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General Chaminda Kularatne, and Assistant Secretary General Hansa Abeyratne were also presented with badges.Furthermore, at the Members’ entrance of Parliament, badges were presented to all Members of Parliament to express their support towards ending gender-based violence. The 16 Days of Activism is an annual global campaign observed from 25 November to 10 December against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). It begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and culminates on Human Rights Day. The aim of this programme is to raise awareness and strengthen action worldwide to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. The 2025 Global Theme of the “16 Days of Activism” announced by the United Nations Secretary-General emphasizes the message: “Let’s unite to end digital violence against all women and girls.”A special media briefing was also held by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. Representing the Caucus, Hon. Prime Minister (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that this year’s theme calls for particular attention to be paid to ending violence occurring within digital spaces targeting women and girls. She further noted that beyond laws and policies, a broader social responsibility and attention is required to eradicate gender-based violence. She highlighted that the increase in the number of women representatives in Parliament to 22 this time is a positive development, and urged all parties, beyond political differences, to unite to eliminate gender-based violence across society. Chair of the Caucus and Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj stated that 315 million women worldwide had been subjected to gender-based violence in 2024. She noted that this occurs in Sri Lanka as well, particularly within digital spaces, where incidents of harassment targeting women and female children, including in politics have increased significantly. Accordingly, the Caucus expects to submit a proposal to the Hon. Speaker to amend the Standing Orders to prevent women parliamentarians from facing verbal or other forms of harassment within Parliament. The Minister further stated that Parliament as an institution should set the first example to the country in eradicating gender-based violence. She invited everyone, regardless of political ideology, to unite in this cause. Deputy Co- Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney at Law, expressing her views, stated that according to a recent survey conducted by UNFPA and UN Women, individuals including women and girls frequently face various forms of online abuse. She said that 36.9% of such incidents involve the creation of fake identities, while 36.9% involve the distribution of obscene messages or videos. In Sri Lanka, one in every five women faces physical or verbal gender-based violence, she added, stressing that everyone must work together, beyond political differences, to change this situation and build a better society. She also extended her appreciation to UNFPA for collaborating in implementing this programme within the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
2025-11-24
The Budget heads of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing which were debated today (Nov. 24), the eighth day of the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, were passed with amendments, without a vote.
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