Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera states that Parliament is scheduled to convene from Tuesday (Jan.21) – Friday (Jan. 24) next week.
This was decided at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on Jan. 10 under the patronage of Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Accordingly, on Tuesday, January 21st, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allotted for Business of Parliament as per (1) to (6) of Standing Order 22 of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers and the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been set aside for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, the Adjournment Debate on the “Clean Sri Lanka” program moved by the government will be held from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and it was decided to adjourn the debate to be held on Wednesday, the 22nd , the Secretary General said.
On Wednesday, January 22nd, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been set aside for Business of Parliament as per (1) to (6) of Standing Order 22 of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers and the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allotted for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, the Adjournment Debate on the “Clean Sri Lanka” program moved by government will be held for the second day from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
On Thursday, January 23rd the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been set aside for Business of Parliament as per (1) to (6) of Standing Order 22 of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers and the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allotted for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament.
It has also been decided to debate the Regulations published in the Gazette No. 2413/37 under the Import and Export (Control) Act, the Notification published in the Gazette No. 2399/16 under the Strategic Development Projects Act, the Regulations published in the Gazette No. 2384/35 under the Import and Export (Control) Act, and the Order published in the Gazette No. 2377/39 under the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm. It has also been agreed to hold the Adjournment Debate as per the motion moved by the opposition from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.
On Friday, January 24th, the entire day has been dedicated to the Votes of Condolence on the late Members of Parliament. Accordingly, it was decided to set aside time from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm on that day to express condolences for the late Members of Parliament Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, Hon. Rukman Senanayake, Hon. Reginold Perera, Hon. Sirinal De Mel and Hon. Mahamed Illiyas the Secretary-General said.
Also, on all four sitting days, time from 12.30 pm to 1.00 pm has been set aside for the lunch Interval.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the life of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith serves as an exemplary model in an era when the moral and spiritual values of society are in decline.
The President made these remarks yesterday (July 07), delivering a speech at the felicitation ceremony organized by the Archdiocese of Colombo to mark the 50th Ordination Anniversary of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s sacred priesthood. The event was held at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo.
The President stated that His Eminence is deeply engaged in a tireless mission to uphold social harmony and spiritual upliftment. He is a statesman who has rendered a significant service to the country, a theological scholar capable of articulating the teachings of the Bible with clarity, a powerful orator with the ability to awaken society and above all, a true humanitarian whose influence extends beyond these roles.
The President further affirmed that every possible step will be taken to ensure justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, without allowing the passage of time to obscure the truth. He emphasized that this is a challenge the government must confront, even within its own institutions and no matter how difficult it may be, justice must be served.
Addressing the gathering, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith reflected on his 50 years of priestly service and commended President Anura Kumara Disanayake for his success in ending a 75-year era of autocratic rule. He also expressed appreciation for the President’s efforts to dismantle a political culture rooted in spreading division among ethnic communities and emphasized the need for a new approach as the country moves towards becoming a prosperous nation.
On this occasion, to mark the 50th Ordination Anniversary of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s priesthood, a commemorative stamp and first-day cover were officially presented to the President.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith was born in 1947 in the Polgahawela area of Kurunegala. He was ordained as a priest on June 29, 1975, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, by Pope Paul VI. Thereafter, he served in various roles including Assistant Parish Priest, Acting Parish Priest, Lecturer in theology and professor at the seminary. He is proficient in multiple languages including Sinhala, Tamil, English, German, French, Spanish and Indonesian.
In 1991, under the leadership of then-Archbishop His Eminence Nicholas Marcus Fernando, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo, with his episcopal ordination taking place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Tewatte.
Subsequently, on June 16, 2009, Malcolm Ranjith was appointed as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo. A year later, on November 20, 2010, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Italy. With this appointment, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith became the second Sri Lankan to receive the blessing of holding the title of Cardinal. He has held numerous positions both nationally and internationally, including serving as chair of several international assemblies.
His Eminence has been the recipient of numerous international accolades, including the Thomas Aquinas Medal for Religious Studies awarded by the Thomas Aquinas College in the United States and the 7th Giuseppe Sciacca International Award for Cultural Achievement, conferred in 2008 by the President of the Italian Republic. A respected writer as well, he has contributed a multitude of articles to journals and newspapers.
Ven. Anunayaka of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero and Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Nayaka Thero extended their wishes during the occasion.
The event was also graced by the Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas, religious leaders from all faiths, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, the Charge de Affairs of the Apostolic Nunciature Msgr. Roberto Lucchini, Auxiliary Bishops of Colombo Most Rev. Maxwell Silva and Most Rev. Anthony Jayakody, other Catholic clergy, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, several Ministers and Members of Parliament, Commanders of the Tri-Forces, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ambassadors and many other distinguished invitees.
Mohamed Sheriff Abdul Wazeeth was sworn in as a Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) National List MP before Speaker – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (July 08).
He took over the Parliamentary seat that became vacant following the resignation of M.S. Naleem.
It has been reported that opposition ranks are planning to table a No-Confidence Motion against the Speaker – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.
According to political sources, many opposition parties have already agreed to support the move, with a final decision expected to be reached today (July 08).
The NCM is said to be based on several allegations of the Speaker obtaining additional benefits, misusing powers of his office and acting in a biased manner, favouring the ruling party.
Meanwhile, during a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) group meeting yesterday, criticisms have been raised on certain facilities and privileges the Speaker is said to have obtained.
In recent weeks, several opposition MPs, including Dayasiri Jayasekara, have publicly criticised the Speaker’s conduct in Parliament.