2025-07-28
News Categories : News
The British parliamentary delegation, which conducted the programme for newly elected Members of Parliament and parliament staff to strengthen parliamentary processes, conveyed to the Hon. Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne that the programme was successful.
The delegation conveyed these remarks when they met the Speaker at Parliament recently (Jul. 24) to brief him on the progress of the three-day programme, which was held from the 22nd to the 24th.
The Speaker expressed his gratitude to the delegation for conducting this programme, which was organized in collaboration with the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA UK), and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), with the objective of strengthening parliamentary processes.
This delegation, led by Yasmin Qureshi, Chairperson of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and Member of the House of Commons, also included Members of the House of Commons Jamie Stone, Paulette Hamilton, and Andrew Snowden, among others.
During this programme, newly elected Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials were given the opportunity to engage with the delegation, exchange knowledge and experiences, and gain a broader understanding of parliamentary procedures.
Over the course of the three-day programme, knowledge and experiences were shared on topics such as the opportunities for new Members to represent Parliament and the challenges of the role, the parliamentary process and procedure, the role of parliamentary officials, committee inquiry processes, preparation of committee reports, codes of conduct and standards, budget and financial oversight, resources and digital tools, public communication and engagement, and the use of public relations activities to promote public trust.
Furthermore, the delegation held discussions and exchanged views with the Chair of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj and the Deputy Co-Chairs as well as the other Members of the Caucus.
The delegation also held discussions with Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative, Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, other Members, and officials. On this occasion, the Co-Chair highlighted the importance of revitalizing Sri Lanka’s membership in the Open Government Partnership to enhance the open parliament process and build public trust.
This programme was also attended by Mrs. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament; Mr. Hansa Abeyrathne, Assistant Secretary General; as well as several department heads and officials of the Parliament.
2025-07-28
The President's Fund will award a grant of one hundred thousand rupees each to 360 A-Level students from the Eastern Province who excelled across all subject streams The Eastern Province programme to recognize high-achievers at district level in the 2023/2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, implemented by the President's Fund, was held yesterday (27th July) at the Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies in Batticaloa. The event was presided over by Hon. Speaker (Dr) Jagath Wickramaratne. During the ceremony, 360 students—10 from each of the six subject streams across the Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee districts, for both the 2023 and 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations—received an incentive grant of one hundred thousand rupees each, along with certificates. The President's Fund allocated a total of 36 million rupees for this initiative. This provincial programme recently commenced in the Northern Province, followed by the Southern Province as its second phase, and the Eastern Province as the third. The President's Fund is currently making arrangements to implement the programme in other provinces in due course. Speaking at the event, the Speaker noted that the President's Fund has not neglected anyone in need of support, with a particular focus on the education of the nation's children. He emphasized that the President's Fund is not a private fund but one operated through the contributions of the people of the country. Therefore, its benefits should be solely for the advancement of the nation's citizens. During the Renaissance, the President's Fund, which had been reserved for the privileged class, was transformed into an institution dedicated to the public, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra. Mr. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, the Governor of the Eastern Province, and Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President's Fund, also addressed the gathering. Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra; Member of Parliament, Kanthasamy Prabu; Vice-Chancellor of Eastern University, Professor Pararajasingham Peratheepan; Batticaloa District Secretary, J.J. Muralidaran; senior officials from the President's Fund; public officials from the Eastern Province; heads of security forces; parents; and students.
2025-07-25
Applications are hereby called from qualified individuals to fill the vacancy in the post of a Member of the Public Service Commission. The applications should be prepared in accordance with the application form published on the website of the Parliament of Sri Lanka under the quick link named ‘Appointment of a Member to the Public Service Commission’ and the duly completed applications should be submitted on or before 01st of August 2025. The relevant applications should be sent either by registered post to the following address; Acting Secretary-General to the Constitutional Council, Constitutional Council Office, Parliament of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte or by email to constitutionalcouncil@parliament.lk The top left-hand corner of the envelope or the subject line of the email should indicate ‘Appointment of a Member to the Public Service Commission’. Link: https://www.parliament.lk/en/secretariat/advertisements/view/334
2025-07-25
The Second Reading debate on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill on August 6th Parliament will meet on August 5th, 6th, and 7th The Resolution for the removal of Mr. T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon from the office of the Inspector-General of Police in terms of Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002 is scheduled to be debated on August 5th, as decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business. This decision was made at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held yesterday (Jul. 24) under the patronage of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Accordingly, Parliament is scheduled to meet for three days – August 5th, 6th, and 7th and will not meet on Friday, August 8th, as it is the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day. Accordingly, on Tuesday, August 05th, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, and from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., the Resolution for the removal of Mr. T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon from the office of the Inspector-General of Police in terms of Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002 will be debated, following which, at 4.00 p.m. the vote is scheduled to be taken. Subsequently, from 4.15 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., Regulations under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Act and Regulations under the Judicature Act will be taken up for debate and approval. Thereafter, from 5.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition will be taken up for debate. On Wednesday, August 06th, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister, and from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers. From 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), an Order under the Tobacco Tax Act, and Regulations under the Tea (Export Duties and Control) Act will be taken up for debate. Subsequently, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., time has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time. On Thursday, August 07th, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m., time has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, and from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., time has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon, the Bills of Exchange (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) is scheduled to be passed without debate. Subsequently, from 12.00 noon to 5.30 p.m., the Adjournment Debate on the Current Economy of the Country by the Government will be held.
2025-07-24
To foster democratic cooperation, in collaboration with the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA UK), and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), an awareness programme for newly elected Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff was inaugurated recently (Jul. 22) under the patronage of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne at the Parliament. Attending this occasion were, Member of the House of Commons - United Kingdom Parliament, Chairperson of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Hon. Yasmin Qureshi, along with the delegation, Hon. Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law, Chair of the Sri Lanka - UK Parliamentary Friendship Association; Hon. Members of Parliament; H.E. Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka; Mrs. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka; Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka; and other distinguished guests. On this occasion, Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne recalled the longstanding relationship between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka and highlighted the importance of such programmes in strengthening democratic ties between the two nations. He further pointed that this programme, which focuses on parliamentary procedures and the legislative process, codes of conduct and standards, budget oversight, and public engagement, will be a valuable opportunity for Members of Parliament and officials of both countries to share knowledge and exchange ideas. Chairperson of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy Yasmin Qureshi MP, noting that in recent years the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has worked closely with the Parliament of Sri Lanka, stated that this programme would provide a greater understanding of the values of democracy. Furthermore, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary General of the Parliament, expressing her views, stated that this programme would be greatly beneficial for strengthening parliamentary institutions, encouraging professional development, and broadening mutual understanding. Meanwhile, prior to this programme, the United Kingdom delegation met with Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. During the meeting, the Hon. Speaker gave the delegation a brief introduction regarding parliamentary procedures and functions. The awareness programme for newly elected Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff will continue until the 24th.
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