2025-09-10
News Categories : News
The Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Sep. 10) by a majority of 150 votes. The debate on the second reading of the Bill began at 11.30 am today and was followed by a second reading vote at around 3.30 pm, with 151 votes in favour and 1 vote against.
This Bill, which was presented to Parliament on 7th August 2025 by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, is a Bill to repeal the Presidents' Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986.
Accordingly, any residence provided to, or monthly allowance paid to, a former President or the widow of a former President in terms of the provisions of section 2 of the repealed Act; monthly secretarial allowance paid to, and official transport and such other facilities provided to, a former President or the widow of a former President in terms of the provisions of section 3 of the repealed Act; and monthly pension paid to the widow of a former President in terms of the provisions of section 4 of the repealed Act, will be abolished.
Meanwhile, the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certification on the Bill this afternoon. Accordingly, this Bill will come into force as the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, No. 18 of 2025.
2025-09-12
The inaugural session of the Piliyandala Central College Student Parliament was held on the September 04th at the historic Old Parliamentary Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera. This program was organized jointly by the school and the Communication Department of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the objective of providing the students of Piliyandala Central College with practical experience regarding parliamentary procedure. The event was also attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Subhash Roshan Gamage, Director General of Presidential Public Relations Dharmasiri Gamage, and Director (Legislative Services) and Acting Director (Communication) of Parliament M. Jayalath Perera. On this occasion, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera explained the parliamentary process and its functions, providing the students with awareness of how Parliament operates. In addition, Director (Legislative Services) and Acting Director (Communication) of Parliament M. Jayalath Perera also addressed the gathering and informed the students about the functions and composition of Parliament. Accordingly, the inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Piliyandala Central College commenced with the election of the Speaker. Thereafter, the Prime Minister together with the Ministers and Members of Parliament were sworn in. Subsequently, each Minister of the Student Parliament presented to the House the plans proposed to be implemented under their respective ministries. At this event, certificates were also awarded to the students representing the Student Parliament, under the patronage of the Secretary General of Parliament and other distinguished invitees. The program was further attended by Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Major Nadika Dangolla, Principal of Piliyandala Central College H. Maheshika Wijayaratne, members of the academic staff of Piliyandala Central College, and several officials of the Communication Department of Parliament.
2025-09-12
Hon. Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne stated that the Polonnaruwa China-Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital is the most valuable gift Sri Lanka has received as a result of the long-term China–Sri Lanka friendship. He expressed these views at the occasion held recently (Sep. 05) at the premises of the Polonnaruwa Municipal Council Office under the patronage of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne and the Chinese Ambassador, where livelihood development equipment was distributed to low-income families in the Polonnaruwa District with the assistance of the Government of China. On this occasion, sewing machines and water pumps worth nearly fifteen million rupees were provided to the beneficiaries. In addition, the Chinese Ambassador also joined in to review the health activities and the manner in which the future development work of the Polonnaruwa China-Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital, built with the assistance of the Government of China, should take place. At this event, a special commemorative gift was presented to the Chinese Ambassador appreciating the assistance extended to Sri Lanka by the Government of China and the contribution made to the China–Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital. Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni, Deputy Minister of Housing T. B. Sarath, Polonnaruwa District Secretary Sujantha Ekanayake, Director of the Polonnaruwa China–Sri Lanka Friendship National Urology Hospital Consultant (Dr.) Dilka Samarasinghe, Chinese delegates, and a group of health officials also participated in this event.
2025-09-12
First reading of the Budget on September 26 Budget Speech on November 7 The second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the budget speech/presentation of budget proposals) for the year 2026 will be held on 7th November, 2025, followed by the budget debate from 8th November to 5th December, as decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business. This decision was made at today’s (Sep. 11) meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramarathne. Accordingly, the first reading of the Appropriation Bill will be presented to Parliament on 26th September, 2025. In his capacity as the Minister of Finance, the Hon. President will present the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the Budget Speech) on 7th November, and it has been decided to allocate six days, from 8th November to 14th November, for the second reading debate. The vote on the second reading will take place on 14th November at 6:00 PM. Thereafter, the Committee Stage debate will be held for 17 days from 15th November to 5th December and the third reading vote will be held on 5th December at 6.00 p.m. During this period, the Budget Debate will be held every day, including Saturdays, excluding public holidays and Sundays. It has also been decided that during the Committee Stage debate period, Parliament will meet at 9.30 a.m. on Mondays and at 9.00 a.m. on all other days. Accordingly, it has been agreed to allocate time for 5 Questions for Oral Answers and 1 Question Under Standing Orders 27(2) in addition to the business under Standing Orders 22(1) to (6) every day during this period. It was also decided to hold the budget debate until 6.00 pm during this period and to debate Motions at the Adjournment Time from 6.00 pm to 6.30 pm every day except on vote days, based on a 50:50 ratio for the government and the opposition.
2025-09-10
Members of Parliament are not owners of the country but temporary trustees representing the people, and therefore they too are subject to the law of the country, the Hon. Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne said. The Hon. Speaker expressed these views at the 4th session of the Ananda College Student Parliament, which was held recently (Sep. 03) at the Olcott Hall of Ananda College, Colombo, under the patronage of the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Further expressing his views, the Speaker pointed out that politics is not something negative. Through politics, the sovereignty of the people is represented and leadership is given on behalf of the people for the progress of society. Therefore, as much as knowledge and intelligence, Sri Lanka needs more leaders with good attitudes for the future. The Speaker emphasized that the Student Parliament is an excellent opportunity to develop one’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and highlighted the importance of everyone becoming honest and law-abiding citizens. Meanwhile, Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, Director (Legislative Services) and Acting Director (Communication) of Parliament, addressing the occasion, pointed out that the Student Parliament is a valuable platform for the personal development and enhancement of the skills of children. He also educated the students about the legislative process and its functions. Expressing his views, Mr. D. M. L. P. Dissanayake Thilakaratne, Principal of Ananda College, Colombo, stated that this programme serves a very important role in developing students’ leadership skills, and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity given to the students. Subsequently, after the inauguration of the ceremonial session of the Student Parliament, the appointment and oath-taking of the Speaker and Members of Parliament took place. Thereafter, following the speeches of the Student Prime Minister and other Ministers, the Student Parliament was adjourned.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
