2026-02-18 / opening: Parliament Opening and Speaker's Certificate 2026-02-18
The Speaker informed the House that on 17 February 2026, he had endorsed certificates for three Acts under Article 79 of the Constitution: the Licensing of Container Depot Operators Act, the Licensing of Shipping Agents, Ship Brokers, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers and Container Operators (Amendment) Act, and the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Act. He also announced that following the resignation of Hon. Anura Karunathilaka from the Select Committee investigating the release of 323 containers from the Port of Colombo without mandatory physical inspection, Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage had been nominated as a replacement under Standing Order 106. Additionally, the Speaker notified all members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business of a meeting scheduled for that afternoon in Committee Room No. 2.
The Parliament met at 9.30 a.m., Mr. Speaker in the Chair.
Speaker's Certificate
In terms of Article 79 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, I wish to inform the House that on 17th February, 2026, I endorsed the certificates on the following Acts:
- Licensing of Container Depot Operators Act
- Licensing of Shipping Agents, Ship Brokers, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers and Container Operators (Amendment) Act
- Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Act
Select Committee to Look into and Report to Parliament on the Release of 323 Containers from the Port of Colombo without Undergoing Mandatory Physical Inspection and Submit Its Proposals and Recommendations in That Regard: Substitution of Member
Consequent to the resignation of the Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, MP, from the above Special Select Committee, under Standing Order 106, I have nominated the Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, MP, to serve on that Committee.
Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business
A meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business will be held today, Wednesday, 18th February, 2026, at 1.30 p.m. in Committee Room No. 2. All Hon. Members of the Committee are requested to attend.