The Mobile App of the Parliament of Sri Lanka was chosen as the winner of the Government and Citizen Engagement category at the ‘e-Swabhimani Digital Social Impact Awards - 2018’ ceremony organized by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka. The ceremony was held on the 29th of November 2018 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. This is the second time that Parliament’s Mobile App has been recognized as a winner at this competition which was held for the 8th consecutive year, previously winning in 2016.
e-Swabhimani is an initiative of the ICTA aimed at recognizing excellence in digital content creation and was launched in 2009. It also serves as a stepping stone to the World Summit Award (WSA), a global initiative implemented within the framework of the United Nations’ World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). This year’s competition was conducted under nine categories and winners were selected after evaluation by a Grand Jury which comprised of eminent experts drawn from various fields.
The Jurors’ Evaluation reads as follows:
“At a time in Sri Lanka where mobile penetration and use of apps is increasing at a rapid pace, utilization of the technology for the benefit of the public by connecting citizens to the activities of the parliament as well as its offices and members, is a timely and important initiative. This app will allow all citizens of the country, unbiased and equal opportunity to engage with their parliamentary members and their offices, thus providing direct access to get their problems, questions and issues cleared and resolved.
The app allows real time video streaming on parliament activities, as such will enable transparency in to the activities, conduct and decisions made by the parliamentarians, thus maximizing public’s understandings of the proceedings.
This is the first government mobile app in all three languages, which is appropriate as it allows all citizens to engage without a language barrier, thus encouraging involvement in shaping the country, in true meaning of creating a digital social impact.”
2026-10-16
Parliament is scheduled to meet from October 20 to 23.The parliamentary business for the week was decided at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held today (Oct. 16) under the chairmanship of Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih.On each day Parliament meets, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for parliamentary business listed under Items 1 to 6 of Standing Order 22. The period from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, while the period from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been set aside for Questions under Standing Order 27(2).Accordingly, on Tuesday, October 20, a debate on an Adjournment Motion moved by the Opposition will be held from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.On Wednesday, October 21, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., a Resolution under the Public Debt Management Act and a Supplementary Estimate are scheduled to be taken up for debate and approval.Thereafter, at 5.00 p.m., the annual reports of five statutory institutions are scheduled to be approved without debate.The period from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has then been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On Thursday, October 22, a debate on the Second Reading of two Bills to amend the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Bills Nos. 79 and 80) will be held from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.Thereafter, the annual reports of five statutory institutions are scheduled to be approved without debate.From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., a Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the Opposition is scheduled to be debated.On Friday, October 23, a debate on the Second Reading of the Elimination of Rabies and Registration of Dogs Bill will be held from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.Thereafter, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., a Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the Government will be taken up for debate.
2026-10-15
The inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Ranabima Royal College, Peradeniya, was held on the 14th of October at the old Parliamentary Chamber located at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara.The programme was jointly organized by the school, the Presidential Secretariat and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the aim of providing students of Ranabima Royal College, Peradeniya, with practical experience of parliamentary procedures.Addressing the gathering, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara stated that Student Parliament programmes serve as a breeding ground for nurturing future leaders. She further emphasized that leadership is not an ornament, but a tool entrusted to individuals to improve the well-being of others. She also pointed out that youth and children bear the full responsibility for building a better society in the future as society progresses. In addition, she highlighted the importance of thinking beyond traditional boundaries.The Head of the Human Resources Development Division of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and Assistant Director (Administration), Ms. Chula Herath, briefed the students on Parliament and the legislative process.The inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Ranabima Royal College commenced with the election of the Speaker. Subsequently, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers and the group of Members of Parliament took their oaths of office. Thereafter, the respective student ministers informed the House of the plans they proposed to implement through their ministries.Certificates were also awarded to the students representing the Student Parliament, with the participation of the invited guests.Concluding the programme, the Principal of Ranabima Royal College, Mr. M. M. Perera, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed his appreciation for the series of programmes conducted by the Parliament of Sri Lanka to support the future of the nation’s children.Several officials also attended the programme, including Director General of Presidential Public Relations Mr. Dharmasiri Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Subhash Roshan, and Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla.
2026-10-15
The Navaratri religious ceremony of the Parliament of Sri Lanka is scheduled to be celebrated ceremonially on the Oct. 20th at the Parliament premises. Symbolizing Sri Lanka’s multi-religious harmony, the celebration is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, and other Ministers, Members of Parliament and dignitaries.Navaratri is a Hindu religious festival celebrated with devotion, generally in October each year. The festival is known as “Navaratri” because religious observances are conducted in honour of the goddesses over nine nights. During the first three days, devotees worship Goddess Durga, who is believed to have the power to dispel evil, negative qualities and shortcomings. The following three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who is revered as the goddess of wealth and prosperity and is believed to bestow lasting riches and good fortune upon her devotees. The final three days are devoted to Goddess Saraswati, who is regarded as the goddess of wisdom.Following these nine days, a special ceremony is held on the tenth day, known as “Vidya Arambham”. This ritual symbolizes the commencement of educational activities and is regarded as an auspicious occasion to begin learning.The ceremony is being organized by the Parliament of Sri Lanka, under the guidance of the Hon. Speaker, with the support of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
2026-10-13
A total of 53,604 kidney patients had been identified by August this year to receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000 each, revealed Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.The Minister made these remarks while responding in Parliament to questions for oral answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Rohana Bandara.He further stated that there is no waiting list for receiving the allowance and that eligible kidney patients who apply are paid the monthly allowance based on their eligibility.
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