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After four decades, large-scale renovations of the Parliament of Sri Lanka commence

Under Cabinet approval, these renovations of the Sri Lanka Parliamentary Complex, taking place after a period of more than 42 years, are being carried out on the instructions of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

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The resolution to remove Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon from the post of Inspector-General of Police passed by a majority vote

In accordance with Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, the Resolution presented for the removal of Mr. T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon from the post of Inspector-General of Police was passed by a majority vote in Parliament today (Aug. 05).

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Parliament

Report of the committee of Inquiry appointed by the resolution passed by the Parliament on Tuesday the 08th of April 2025, in terms of Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, to remove the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon from the office of the Inspector-General of Police for misconduct and gross abuse of power of his office in terms of Sections 3(d) and 3(e) read with Section 5 of the said Act

Report

  • After four decades, large-scale renovations of the Parliament of Sri Lanka commence

    Under Cabinet approval, these renovations of the Sri Lanka Parliamentary Complex, taking place after a period of more than 42 years, are being carried out on the instructions of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

    More

  • The resolution to remove Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon from the post of Inspector-General of Police passed by a majority vote

    In accordance with Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, the Resolution presented for the removal of Mr. T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon from the post of Inspector-General of Police was passed by a majority vote in Parliament today (Aug. 05).

    More

  • Report of the committee of Inquiry appointed by the resolution passed by the Parliament on Tuesday the 08th of April 2025, in terms of Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, to remove the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon from the office of the Inspector-General of Police for misconduct and gross abuse of power of his office in terms of Sections 3(d) and 3(e) read with Section 5 of the said Act

    Report


Hon. Speaker endorses the certificate on National Audit (Amendment) Bill

22-09-2025
1
Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Sep. 22) endorsed the certificate on the National Audit (Amendment) Bill. The National Audit (Amendment) Bill was presented to Parliament on 2025.07.08 and was passed in Parliament with amendments on 11.09.2025 This National Audit (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018. Accordingly, the main objective of these amendments are to provide provisions for the establishment of a Surcharge Review Committee including its composition, time limits, and procedures, for the purpose of making decisions regarding the imposition of surcharges recommended by the Auditor General. Further, empowering the Auditor General to lodge complaints with law enforcement institutions regarding fraud or corruption, and extending the time period for submitting the Annual Detailed Management Audit Report from five months to six months, are among the key changes. In addition, the amendments also make provisions to substantially increase the punishments for persons committing offences under Sections 42 and 43 of the principal enactment. Accordingly, this National Audit (Amendment) Bill comes into effect as the National Audit (Amendment) Act, No. 19 of 2025.      
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Date Title
22-09-2025 Hon. Speaker endorses the certificate ...
18-09-2025 Sri Lanka’s Power Sector Reform Must...
17-09-2025 Parliament to meet from September 23 t...
17-09-2025 Inaugural Session of the Karandeniya C...
12-09-2025 2026 Budget from November 7 to Decembe...
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Business of the House for September 12, 2025

12-09-2025
The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair.Presentation of Papers by the Speaker Second Installment – Part VI, Third Installment – Parts V and VI and Ninth Installment – Parts III and XLV of the Report of the Auditor – General for the Financial Year 2024 in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.Presentation of Papers Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 20 read with Sections 4(1) and 14 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 as amended...
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Date Title
12-09-2025 Business of the House for September 12, ...
11-09-2025 Business of the House for September 11, ...
10-09-2025 Business of the House for September 10, ...
09-09-2025 Business of the House for September 09, ...
22-08-2025 Business of the House for August 22, 202...
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Business for September second Sitting Week

12-09-2025
The Committee on Parliamentary Business which met on September 11th 2025 discussed the Business of the House for the Second Sitting week for the month of September 2025 and agreed as follows:-  
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First day of
sitting week
Title
23-09-2025 Business for September second Sitting W...
09-09-2025 Business for September first Sitting We...
19-08-2025 Business for August second Sitting Week
05-08-2025 Business for August first Sitting Week
22-07-2025 Business for July second Sitting Week
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This week in Parliament (July first Sitting Week)

16-07-2021
Several Bills passed, including the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill Although the sittings of Parliament have been limited due to the prevailing COVID situation, the Parliament convened for four days from July 06th to 09th last week. Following the media reports on the arrival of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa in Parliament, attention by many were drawn to the Parliament. The previous Sitting week was a busy week given that several committee meetings including the COPE Committee were held. The Parliamentary Business Committee met under the chairmanship of the Hon. Speaker Mahinda ...
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Date Title
16-07-2021 This week in Parliament (July first Sitt...
02-07-2021 This week in Parliament (June second Sit...
21-06-2021 This week in Parliament (June first Sitt...
12-05-2021 This week in Parliament (May first Sitti...
25-05-2015 This week in Parliament (May second Sitt...
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A new mechanism within two weeks to provide fertilizer to tea cultivators – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

18-09-2025
1
A new mechanism to provide fertilizer to tea cultivators is expected to be introduced within two weeks, stated Hon. Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure K.V. Samanth...
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Date Title
18-09-2025 A new mechanism within two weeks to prov...
18-09-2025 The Parliamentary Caucus for Youth looks...
18-09-2025 Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus discuss...
17-09-2025 National Building Research Institute Bil...
17-09-2025 Due to the GSMB’s failure to properly ...
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பாராளுமன்ற விவாதங்களுக்கான விதிகள்

What is the Importance of Rules?

In order to facilitate the proper functioning of Parliament, rules and procedure are made and followed. By enforcing these rules the standard of debates in the House could be raised. In passing laws, approving the annual budget and other matters the Members of Parliament have to take part in Parliamentary debates. In a Parliamentary system, on the floor of the House, all views, opinions, ideas and concepts are voiced in an orderly manner. Thereafter acceptable conclusions are arrived at.


What are the Rules for Members speaking in Parliament?

A Member who speaks should always address the Speaker. He/She should be standing whilst he/she makes the speech. Members should avoid speaking on irrelevant matters. They are required not to indulge in repetition. The members should not impute improper motives to other members. They should not refer to any matter which is sub-judice. Other than the mover of a motion a member is not allowed to speak more than once on any Bill or motion. But, in a Committee of the Whole House, a member may be allowed to speak more than once. In addition, an affected member is entitled to make a personal explanation even though there is no motion before the House. However, debates are not allowed on such explanations. The members must take special care not to use unparliamentary language.


What are the Rules for Members Not Speaking?

They must enter the House with decorum and should not cross the floor unnecessarily. They are not allowed to read newspapers, books or letters inside the Chamber. They must maintain silence and should not interrupt a member who is addressing the House unless the member speaking gives way. Smoking within the Chamber is prohibited. The members should not bring various items to illustrate their arguments. Using cellular phones and tape recorders in the Chamber are disallowed.


What are the Speaker's powers with regard to Debates?

The Speaker can request a member to withdraw any derogatory or objectionable remark. The Speaker also can expunge objectionable words from the official records (Hansard). He may warn a member who persists in obstructing or disturbing the proceedings. He can also "name" or request the Sergeant-at-arms to remove the disturbing member. A member may be suspended for a few weeks. If a member's conduct is utterly disorderly the Speaker can order him to withdraw immediately from Parliament during the remainder of the day's sitting.


Who prepares the Lists of Speakers?

The Government and Opposition Whips are responsible for preparing the lists of speakers. The lists are submitted to the Speaker in advance and he calls upon those members to address the House.


What are Points of Order?

If a member feels that a procedural disorder has occurred he can raise the matter then and there. The member on his feet should give way when a Point of Order is raised. After the Speaker or the presiding officer gives his ruling , the member can resume his speech.


Can a Member speak after the vote is taken?

At the end of a debate, the members express their agreement or disagreement by saying "Aye" or "No". If a member is not satisfied with the decision on the voice vote he may ask for a division. A division can be taken either by counting those in favour and against row by row or calling their names and recording their preference. The decision as to the way in which the count is to be taken lies with the Speaker.


What is the Quorum?

The quorum is twenty members including the Presiding Officer. If a quorum is not present and if the attention of the Presiding Officer is drawn to this fact the Presiding Officer must cause the quorum bells to be rung and at the expiration of five minutes if a quorum is not present he can adjourn Parliament.


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Last Updated on 09-07-2024

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