News
Opportunity for backbenchers to ask two questions each during adjournment time

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday announced that the Committee on Parliamentary Business had decided to allow the backbenchers to ask questions related to a matter of urgent public importance, during the adjournment time, the Communication Department of the Parliament said in a communique yesterday (5)
Accordingly, on the dates allotted for motions at the adjournment time, 20 minutes out of the allotted one hour have been set aside for the hearing of two ” Questions at the Adjournment time”.
The Speaker also said that during the days allotted for motions at the adjournment time, only two questions each would be allowed for the government and the opposition, respectively. Accordingly, five minutes will be allotted for the relevant MP to ask the question and five minutes will be allotted for the relevant Minister to answer the question.
Questions at the Adjournment time are limited to ‘matters of urgent public importance’ and the Speaker will decide whether the relevant questions are of urgent public importance.
Any Member of Parliament may submit a question at the adjournment time personally or by fax or e-mail to the relevant Chief Whip and the signature of the relevant MP should be placed.
Any such question should be sent by the relevant Chief Whip to the Secretary General of Parliament by 10.00 am on the previous day. The Secretary General of Parliament will send the matter to the Secretary to the Leader of the House before 12.00 noon thus that the relevant Minister can be informed.
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INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
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“Census of Population and Housing 2024” Report Presented to the President

The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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