News
Parliament to convene on Dec 17 and 18
Parliament Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera said on Friday that party leaders have decided to convene Parliament only on Tuesday (Dec 17) and Wednesday (Dec 18). The sessions will focus on a series of important debates and discussions.
The House will begin its sitting at 9:30 am on Tuesday, Dec 17, with an hour allocated for Questions for Oral Answers. From 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, the supplementary estimates will be debated. These estimates include provisions for an allowance to help schoolchildren obtain stationery and funding for road projects scheduled for 2024. The debate on these matters will continue on Wednesday, Dec 18.
In the afternoon, from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm, the Opposition will present an Adjournment Motion for discussion on the restructuring of International Sovereign Bonds.
The following day, Wednesday, Dec 18, will begin at 9:30 am with another session of Questions for Oral Answers. From 10:30 am to 5:00 pm, the debate on the two supplementary estimates will continue, alongside discussions on several important regulatory matters. These include regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, the Foreign Exchange Act, the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, the Casino Business (Regulation) Act, the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, and the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act. These subjects are scheduled for presentation and passage in Parliament.
Finally, from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm, time will be allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time, with two questions to be addressed.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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