2025-11-18
News Categories : News
Today (Nov. 18), on the third day of the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, the budget head of the Ministry of Defence (103) taken up for debate, was passed by a 92 majority of votes, with amendments.
Following the debate of the Committee Stage held today at around 6:50 pm, Hon. Member of Parliament of the All-Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) G. G. Ponnambalam, called for a division for the budget head of the Ministry of Defence, and accordingly, 101 votes were cast in favor of it and 09 votes were cast against.
Subsequently, Hon. Member of Parliament, G. G. Ponnambalam also called for a division for the budget head of the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs (225). Accordingly, 100 votes were cast in favor and 02 votes were cast against.
The Budget Heads of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs was thus passed in Parliament by a majority vote.
2025-11-19
Speaker announces in Parliament that the MP D. V. Chanaka, has been nominated to serve on the Committee on Parliamentary Business The Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Nov. 19) announced in Parliament that the Hon. D. V. Chanaka, Member of Parliament, has been nominated to serve in the Committee on Parliamentary Business by the Committee of Selection on 18 November 2025, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 130 (3) of the Parliament, to fill the vacancy occurred due to the resignation of the Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament, from the Membership of the Committee on Parliamentary Business. The Hon. Speaker also announced that the Hon. Ajith P. Perera, Member of Parliament has been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 111 of Parliament and as per the motion agreed to by Parliament on 17 March 2025. Furthermore, Hon. Speaker announced that the Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability and the Hon. Chathura Galappaththi, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection, to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 111 of Parliament and as per the motion agreed to by Parliament on 17 March 2025.
2025-11-19
The delegation from Parliament of Sri Lanka participated in the meeting on gender equality held during the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva on 23 October 2025. The session, organized under the IPU’s Gender Partnership Programme, brought together representatives from Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and Zambia to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in advancing gender equality within Parliaments. Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga, Member of Parliament, addressed the forum and delivered an inspiring speech that highlighted Sri Lanka’s significant strides in increasing women’s political participation following the country's historic transformation in 2024. She emphasized the pivotal role played by women in shaping Sri Lanka’s renewed political landscape and shared insights into the nationwide movement “Gehenu Api Eka Mitata” (We, the Women together), which contributed to a remarkable rise of female representation in Parliament, from approximately 5% to 10% in a single election cycle. In her statement, the Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga stated: “Sri Lanka’s story is a testament to a simple truth: when women are empowered, the whole nation rises. We are sending a clear message to our daughters, and to the world, that no dream is too big, and no position is out of reach.” The delegation from Sri Lanka also included the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, whose presence underscored the growing leadership of women within Sri Lanka’s highest legislative institutions. The IPU commended the contribution of the Sri Lankan delegation and extended its gratitude through an official appreciation letter, recognizing Sri Lanka’s active role in the global effort to promote gender equality, diversity, and accessibility in the Parliaments. Sri Lanka’s participation in this high-level dialogue reaffirms the nation’s commitment to strengthening gender equality and amplifying women’s voices in legislative processes. The Parliament looks forward to continued collaboration with the IPU and other member states to transform shared commitments into concrete actions for a more inclusive and representative democracy.
2025-11-15
The outgoing Ambassador of Cuba to Sri Lanka, H.E. Andrés Marcelo González Garrido, yesterday (Nov. 14) paid a farewell call on the Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera was also present at the occasion. During the meeting, Ambassador González Garrido expressed his profound gratitude to the Hon. Speaker for the continuous support and warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation throughout his four-and-a-half-year tenure in Sri Lanka. He highlighted the importance of further strengthening bilateral ties, particularly through the recently revived Sri Lanka - Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association, which he noted as a vital platform for enhanced cooperation. The Hon. Speaker congratulated Ambassador González Garrido on the successful completion of his mission and commended his dedicated efforts toward strengthening the historic bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He recalled the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and Cuba and noted that Cuba has always stood with Sri Lanka, especially during times of need, reinforcing the depth and sincerity of the bilateral partnership. The Hon. Speaker reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further enhancing these enduring diplomatic relations. He also expressed his appreciation for Cuba's long-standing support to the medical sector in Sri Lanka. He praised the humanity, dedication and service of Cuban doctors who have worked in Sri Lanka, citing his own experience as a medical professional. The Hon. Speaker further extended an invitation for increased Cuban investment in Sri Lanka and highlighted opportunities for expanded technical cooperation in the agricultural sector.
2025-11-14
Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka - Oman Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament. The revival meeting of the Association was held yesterday (Nov. 13) at the Parliament premises under the patronage of the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. The Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Sri Lanka, H.E. Ahmed Ali Said Alrashidi, attended 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. The Hon. Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera was elected as the Secretary of the Association, while the Hon. Member of Parliament Chathuri Gangani was elected as the Treasurer of the Association. During the meeting, both parties emphasized the longstanding bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Oman, which dates back to 1981 and is founded on mutual respect and shared benefit. The contribution of the Sri Lankan community in Oman was also acknowledged, with appreciation expressed for their positive role in supporting the economies and strengthening the ties of both nations. The discussions further highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation in several key sectors, including tourism, trade, labour, and education. Both sides expressed confidence that the revival of the Parliamentary Friendship Association would serve as an effective platform to deepen collaboration and advance mutually beneficial initiatives between the two countries. As part of his visit to Parliament, H.E. Ambassador Ahmed Ali Said Alrashidi also paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, where discussions focused on further strengthening bilateral relations, including expanded cooperation at the parliamentary level.
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