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.
2025-11-26
The Budget heads of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Digital Economy were debated today (Nov. 26), the tenth day of the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, and were passed with amendments, without a vote.
2025-11-26
Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena, has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka - Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament.The revival meeting of the Association was held yesterday (Nov. 25) at the Parliament premises under the patronage of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Sri Lanka, H.E. Dewi Gustina Tobing, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. The Hon. Deputy Speaker, Dr. Rizvie Salih, several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, were also present at the occasion.Hon. Member of Parliament Aboobucker Athambawa was elected as the Secretary of the Association, while the Hon. Member of Parliament Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law, was elected as the Treasurer of the Association.During the meeting, both parties underscored the longstanding relationship between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, built on shared religious ties, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people engagement. They further highlighted significant opportunities for enhanced cooperation in tourism, agriculture, the energy sector, and digital transformation. Both sides expressed confidence that the revival of the Parliamentary Friendship Association would serve as an effective platform to strengthen collaboration between the two countries.Prior to the meeting, the Ambassador of Indonesia paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker, during which discussions focused on the continuation of negotiations on the Trade Agreement between Sri Lanka and Indonesia and fostering cooperation in the Parliamentary level.
2025-11-26
The All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) has donated a consignment of materials valued at 1,000,000 RMB yuan (approximately Rs. 43 million) to support the wellbeing and development of women and children in Sri Lanka. The donation comprises equipment for establishing a mother-and-baby room and a childcare centre for the children of staff members of Parliament of Sri Lanka, along with women’s hygiene products to be distributed through the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus.The official handover ceremony was held yesterday (Nov. 25) at the Parliament of Sri Lanka under the patronage of the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The donation was formally presented to the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and the Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs and Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, by H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka.In his remarks, the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne noted that the donation reflects the deep and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and China. He emphasized that enhancing the wellbeing of women and children remains a shared priority and expressed sincere appreciation to the All-China Women’s Federation for its continued support.Addressing the gathering, the Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs and Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, expressed her gratitude for the timely contribution. She stated that the donated materials will directly strengthen ongoing programmes aimed at uplifting women and children, particularly those in vulnerable communities.Ambassador H.E. Qi Zhenhong highlighted that China and Sri Lanka share a long history of friendship, and that this donation by the All-China Women’s Federation reflects China’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts in women’s empowerment and child wellbeing.This contribution follows the discussions held between the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and the ACWF during high-level meetings in 2023 and 2024, during which the Chinese Government expressed its intention to extend financial assistance, including support for providing school uniforms and future initiatives of the Caucus.Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Chaminda Kularatna, Director Finance of Parliament Mr. Sarath Kumara and Coordinating Engineer of Parliament Mr. Lalith Adhikari and a group of officials were also present on the occasion.
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.
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