News

Speaker reads MPs the riot act over wasting parliamentary time

Published

12 months ago

2025/05/22

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday warned MPs against deliberately wasting parliamentary time by raising irrelevant questions and engaging in disruptive behaviour.

Making a special statement at the commencement of parliamentary sittings, Speaker Wickramaratne reminded all MPs of the proper procedures for raising questions under Standing Order 27(2), stressing the need for strict adherence to established parliamentary protocols.

Citing recent concerns about time mismanagement and procedural violations, the Speaker urged party leaders to ensure that questions submitted under this provision are confined to matters of genuine public importance and follow the prescribed format. He warned that non-compliance could result in procedural action.

Following is the full statement by the Speaker:

In a country where a representative parliamentary system operates, the primary responsibilities of a Member of Parliament, as a representative of the people, include representation, law-making, public finance control, and oversight. Of these, the responsibility of representation is particularly significant, as it enables MPs to draw the attention of Parliament to public concerns and seek resolutions through the executive using various mechanisms. These include questions requiring oral answers, questions not requiring oral answers, questions raised during adjournment debates, and motions raised during such debates. Also significant are questions raised under Standing Order 27(2), where—after giving formal notice to the relevant minister—a question may be asked by the Leader of the Opposition or a leader of a recognised political party on a matter of public importance.

Accordingly, I am prepared to clarify the issues that have arisen from time to time in the House regarding questions raised under Standing Order 27(2), particularly with reference to the situation that occurred in this House on May 9, 2025, and to inform the House of my decision on the matter.

The opportunity granted under Standing Order 27(2) is meant for obtaining answers—via brief prior notice to the relevant ministers—on specific matters of public importance. Therefore, it is essential that the issue be one of clear public significance and suitable for a short response.

Furthermore, such questions must be limited to a single, specific issue and must fall within the jurisdiction of a single minister. In keeping with longstanding tradition, such questions should be submitted to the relevant minister before 12 noon on the preceding day to allow sufficient time for a prompt response.

However, since the beginning of the 10th Parliament, many questions submitted under this provision have deviated from these principles. They have often lacked public importance, included multiple sub-questions, required highly detailed data, extended beyond a single minister’s purview, or been repeatedly submitted in similar formats. Additionally, although the Standing Orders do not permit supplementary questions in this context, MPs frequently present follow-up queries under the guise of seeking clarification. I have observed that even MPs other than the party leader submitting the question attempt to participate, often disrupting proceedings.

I would also like to emphasise that many such issues could be more appropriately raised as oral or written questions, or during adjournment debates or motions.

As a result of the current situation, a significant amount of time is consumed by raising, answering, and following up on questions—leading to delays that prevent completion within the allocated time. This has consistently disrupted the main business of the House and deprived scheduled speakers of their allotted time.

The issue of questions under Standing Order 27(2) was discussed extensively at the Parliamentary Business Committee meeting held on March 21, 2025. Based on the relevant Standing Orders, existing traditions, and rulings by the Speaker, it was agreed by both the government and the Opposition to proceed according to these norms.

Nevertheless, the continued failure to comply with these guidelines has caused numerous time management issues. I therefore emphasise the urgent need for all future questions under Standing Order 27(2) to strictly conform to the prescribed procedures.

Taking all these circumstances into consideration, I urge all party leaders to ensure that future questions under this provision adhere to the proper format. I also inform the House that I will be compelled to take action in accordance with the Standing Orders regarding any questions submitted outside of these rules.

Accordingly, I direct the attention of all party leaders to these concerns and look forward to your full cooperation in conducting the business of the House without disruption, in line with the Standing Orders.

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Maldives and Sri Lanka exchange seven MOUs

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed across several sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, were formally exchanged this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives.

Marking a new chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, the MoUs cover cooperation in the fields of health, sports, tourism, education and defence.

Accordingly:

1. MoU on Tourism Cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

2. MoU on Archiving Cooperation between the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka and the National Archives of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

3. MoU on Training and Professional Development of Teachers and School Leaders between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

4. MoU on Sports and Youth Development Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

5. MoU on Defence Cooperation between the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives and the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired).

6. MoU between the Ministry of Defence and National Service of the Maldives and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.

7. MoU on Academic Cooperation between the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.

The state visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aims to further strengthen economic, cultural and social ties between the two countries, while enhancing their multifaceted partnership.

Cabinet Ministers, government officials and members of the Maldivian delegation, representing both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, were present at the occasion.

[President’s Media Division]