The parliamentary Library is an integral part of the Parliamentary Secretariat. Though it comes under the legislative services department, it functions as a separate unit due to the professional skill required in the operation of its activities.

Library of Parliament’s Mission is to develop, maintain and preserve comprehensive, valid up- to date collection of information, material, giving emphasis to Parliamentary, Government and Legislative demands and to utilize the resources through research and analysis to provide efficient and effective information and documentation to Members of Parliament, Parliament Committees and the Parliament Secretariat and to provide information on parliamentary matters and publications to the public.

The Library of Sri Lanka has a long history dating as far back as 1830s. The establishment of the Legislative Council in 1833 was a major breakthrough and a landmark in the political history of Sri Lanka. During the last stages of the Legislative Council, there was a clamour for a Library for the members of the Council. Accordingly on the 20th of July 1922 Hon. E.R. Thambimuttu, the member representing the Eastern Province, moved a motion in the Council for the establishment of a library for the convenience of the Members of the Council. The existing library records show that the library for the Members of the Council was set up in 1927.

The Library is presently located in the south – wing of the main Parliamentary building. The Reference Division, Lending Division and the Newspaper section along with the working area of the staff are housed in the First Floor of the Library. The Ground Floor houses the Research Division, Members’ Mail Division and the recently established Cybercafe.

The Subject Coverage

The subject range of books in the Library is extensive as well as comprehensive. It includes almost all subjects in the field of knowledge with special emphasis on subjects such as Political Science, Economics, Law, Public Administration, Social Welfare, Education, History, Geography and so on. Advanced Science and Technology are excluded from the subject composition, taking in to consideration the needs of the users of the Library. Special attention has been paid to constantly building up the collection by acquiring foreign literature in political, legal and international relations.

Library has built up a collection of books of Fictions in English, Sinhala and Tamil languages for Members’ leisure reading. The overall collection of the Library consists of about 34,000 volumes of which the major collection is in English.

The Library has functioned to satisfy information needs of Members of Parliament. And also providing an up-to date and objective storehouse of knowledge on which Members could draw upon. The library staff, headed by the Librarian, assists Members of Parliament.

Research Division

The Research Division housed on the ground floor caters to the Members’ requirements for information by undertaking analysis and research tasks on various aspects of socio-economic and political affairs of current relevance. This Division is headed by Chief Research Officer and there are four Research officers and four Assistant Research Officers to assist him. The functions of the Research Division are at present manifold. The Division has the capacity to engage in research to meet the day to day requirements of the Members in their Parliamentary functions.

The Research Division undertakes the analysis and research required by the Members on particular occasions and in special cases. Particularly during Budget Debates Members visit this Division for in depth analysis of various issues and subjects. Apart from that Parliamentary Practice and Procedure is a main area concentrated by the Research Division. The Speaker and his deputies, Members of Parliament and Secretary General and his deputies very often consult this Division with regard to the requirements of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association(CPA) and SAARC Parliamentarians’ Association activities. Research papers and speeches are written on various themes by the Research Officers for the use of the Speaker and his deputies at International Conferences. This service is also available to the needy Members who participate in such events. Periodical background papers are written on important issues. When Bills are to be presented in Parliament background papers are prepared by providing vital statistics and data on the subject matter. Sometimes the researchers are required to assist parliamentary committees. By providing up to date data and statistics the Research Division enhances the legislative process of the country.