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17th Parliament of Sri Lanka

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17th Parliament of Sri Lanka
16th 18th
Parliament of Sri Lanka
Overview
Legislative bodyParliament of Sri Lanka
Meeting placeSri Lankan Parliament Building
Term21 November 2024 (2024-11-21) –
Election14 November 2024
Websiteparliament.lk
Parliamentarians
Members225
SpeakerVacant
Deputy Speaker and
Chairman of Committees
Rizvie Salih (NPP)
Deputy Chairperson of CommitteesHemali Weerasekara (NPP)
Prime MinisterHarini Amarasuriya (NPP)
Leader of the OppositionSajith Premadasa (SJB)
Leader of the HouseBimal Rathnayake (NPP)
Chief Government WhipNalinda Jayatissa (NPP)
Chief Opposition WhipGayantha Karunathilaka (SJB)
Structure
Sessions
1st21 November 2024 (2024-11-21) –  ()

The 17th Parliament of Sri Lanka (10th Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka) is the current Parliament of Sri Lanka, with its membership determined by the results of the 2024 parliamentary election held on 14 November 2024.[1][2] The parliament met for the first time on 21 November 2024.[3]

According to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the term of the Parliament is 5 years. However, under Article 70 of the Constitution and Section 10 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, the President of Sri Lanka may dissolve parliament after two years and six months from its first sitting or upon receiving a resolution from parliament. This signifies that the president will possess the constitutional authority to dissolve parliament by decree, effective from 21 May 2027.[4][5]

Timeline

[edit]
Key dates
Date Day Event Ref.
21 September 2024 Saturday Anura Kumara Dissanayake is elected as president at the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election. [6][7]
24 September 2024 Tuesday President Dissanayake dissolved the 16th parliament and called for a parliamentary election. [1][2]
14 November 2024 Thursday Election day. [2]
21 November 2024 Thursday First meeting of the 17th parliament.
Formal election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees.
Swearing in of the elected members.
Presentation of the government's policy statement by the President.
[3][8]

Recent changes in seat allocations

[edit]
Registered electors and seat allocation changes: 2020 to 2024[9][10][11]
Provinces Districts Registered electors Number of allocated seats
2020 2024 2020 2024 Change
(+/-)
Western Colombo 1,709,209 1,765,351 19 18 Decrease1
Gampaha 1,785,964 1,881,129 18 19 Increase1
Kalutara 972,319 1,024,244 10 11 Increase1
Central Kandy 1,129,100 1,191,399 12 12 Steady
Matale 407,569 429,991 5 5 Steady
Nuwara Eliya 577,717 605,292 8 8 Steady
Southern Galle 867,709 903,163 9 9 Steady
Matara 659,587 686,175 7 7 Steady
Hambantota 493,192 520,940 7 7 Steady
Northern Jaffna 571,848 593,187 7 6 Decrease1
Vanni 287,024 306,081 6 6 Steady
Eastern Batticaloa 409,808 449,686 5 5 Steady
Ampara 513,979 555,432 7 7 Steady
Trincomalee 288,868 315,925 4 4 Steady
North Western Kurunegala 1,348,787 1,417,226 15 15 Steady
Puttalam 614,374 663,673 8 8 Steady
North Central Anuradhapura 693,634 741,862 9 9 Steady
Polonnaruwa 331,109 351,302 5 5 Steady
Uva Badulla 668,166 705,772 9 9 Steady
Monaragala 372,155 399,166 6 6 Steady
Sabaragamuwa Ratnapura 877,582 923,736 11 11 Steady
Kegalle 684,189 709,622 9 9 Steady
National List 29 29 Steady
Total 16,263,885 17,140,354 225 225 Steady

Election

[edit]
Results by polling division

The National People's Power (NPP) secured a historic landslide victory in the parliamentary election, winning 61.65% of the popular vote and a supermajority of 159 seats—the largest number ever won by a single party in Sri Lanka's history. The NPP, led by newly-elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, achieved the second-highest proportion of seats in the nation's history and won every district except Batticaloa. This marked the first election since 1977 where a single party obtained a supermajority, and the first time a non-Tamil political party won the Jaffna Electoral District.[12]

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) became the main opposition, securing 17.66% of the vote and 40 seats, a significant reduction. Other results included the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) winning 8 seats, the New Democratic Front (NDF) securing 5, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) suffering a drastic decline to just 3 seats from the 145 it held previously.

This election also set records for women's representation, with 21 female MPs elected, the highest in Sri Lanka's history, and saw over 150 first-time MPs entering the legislature.[13][14]

The NPP nominated Sugath Wasantha de Silva through the national list to be appointed as a Member of Parliament. This marks a significant milestone in Sri Lankan politics, as de Silva is the first visually impaired person to be elected to parliament. A special seating arrangement will be made to accommodate his specific needs.[15][16]

Results

[edit]

National

[edit]
PartyVotes%Seats
DistrictNationalTotal±
National People's Power[a]6,863,18661.5614118159+156
Samagi Jana Balawegaya[b]1,968,71617.6635540−14
New Democratic Front[c]500,8354.49325+5
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna350,4293.14213−97
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi257,8132.31718+8
Sarvajana Balaya[d]178,0061.60011+1
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress87,0380.78213+2
United Democratic Voice83,4880.75000New
United National Party66,2340.591010
Democratic Tamil National Alliance[e]65,3820.59101New
Democratic Left Front50,8360.460000
Democratic National Alliance45,4190.41000New
Tamil National People's Front[f]39,8940.361010
Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal34,4400.31000−1
All Ceylon Makkal Congress33,9110.301010
People's Struggle Alliance[g]29,6110.270000
Eelam People's Democratic Party28,9850.26000−2
Jaffna – Independent Group 1730,6370.27101+1
National Democratic Front25,4440.230000
United National Alliance22,5480.20000New
Sri Lanka Labour Party17,7100.16101+1
Devana Parapura16,9500.15000New
Thamizh Makkal Koottani13,2950.12000New
Jana Setha Peramuna12,7430.110000
National Front for Good Governance8,4470.08000New
United National Freedom Front7,7960.07000New
Arunalu Peoples Alliance7,6660.07000New
New Independent Front7,1820.06000New
National People's Party6,3070.060000
Our Power of People's Party6,0430.05000−1
Tamil United Liberation Front5,0610.050000
Democratic United National Front4,4800.040000
Samabima Party4,4490.04000New
Patriotic People's Power3,9850.04000New
Eros Democratic Front2,8650.03000New
Democratic Unity Alliance2,1980.020000
Socialist Party of Sri Lanka2,0870.020000
Jathika Sangwardhena Peramuna1,9200.020000
United Socialist Party1,8380.020000
Socialist Equality Party8640.010000
Freedom People's Front8410.01000New
United Peace Alliance8220.010000
Lanka Janatha Party7590.01000New
Eksath Lanka Podujana Pakshaya6590.01000New
Liberal Democratic Party6350.01000New
Nawa Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya6010.01000New
Nava Sama Samaja Party4910.00000New
Akhila Ilankai Tamil Mahasabha4500.000000
Democratic Party2830.00000New
Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya2690.00000New
Independents245,4582.200000
Total11,148,006100.00196292250
Valid votes11,148,00694.35
Invalid/blank votes667,2405.65
Total votes11,815,246100.00
Registered voters/turnout17,140,35468.93
Source: Election Commission of Sri Lanka[17]

District

[edit]
Districts won by NPP
Districts won by ITAK

Government

[edit]

Appointment of ministers and deputy ministers

[edit]

The National People's Power (NPP), having secured a supermajority with 159 seats, formed the next government of Sri Lanka. The new cabinet of ministers, sworn in on 18 November 2024, includes 21 members elected in the recent parliamentary election, along with the president, who will retain the portfolios of defence, finance, and digital economy. This was carried out in accordance with Articles 42 to 47 of the Constitution. Harini Amarasuriya will continue as the prime minister, in addition to her ministerial portfolio of education, higher education and vocational education. On 25 November 2024, the president, through an Gazette Extraordinary notification, assigned subjects, functions, departments, statutory institutions, and public corporations to the respective ministries.[18]

On 21 November 2024, 29 MPs were sworn in as deputy ministers. Anil Jayantha Fernando, the Cabinet Minister for Labour, was assigned the additional role of Deputy Minister for Economic Development alongside his existing responsibilities.[19]

Government budget and policy statement

[edit]

The new government's first policy statement was presented to the parliament on 21 November 2024 by the president.[20] A debate on the government's policy statement took place from 3 to 5 December 2024 and was passed unanimously.[21]

On 26 November 2024, the cabinet spokesman announced that an interim vote on account would be presented to parliament, with a debate scheduled for 5 and 6 December 2024. The budget proposals for 2025 are set to be presented to parliament on 9 January, with the budget speech scheduled for 17 February 2025.[22] On 5 December 2024, the interim vote on account was presented to parliament, initiating the debate. Following the conclusion of the debate, the vote on account was passed without a formal vote on 6 December 2024.[23]

Presiding officers and parliamentary leaders

[edit]

NPP's Bimal Rathnayake and Nalinda Jayatissa were appointed as Leader of the House and Chief Government Whip respectively on 19 November 2024 by the president.[24]

At the inaugural meeting of the new parliament on 21 November 2024, Asoka Ranwala, Rizvie Salih, and Hemali Weerasekara were unanimously elected as Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees, and Deputy Chairperson of Committees, respectively. Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was recognised as the Leader of the Opposition. On 3 December 2023, Gayantha Karunathilaka of the SJB was recognised by the Speaker as the Chief Opposition Whip.[8]

In December 2024, questions about the authenticity of Asoka Ranwala's educational qualifications sparked widespread calls for clarification from academics, officials, politicians, and the public.[25] Amidst the growing controversy, Ranwala resigned as Speaker of Parliament on 13 December 2024.[26]

Members

[edit]

List

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.
  2. ^ Alliance consisting of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (which contested separately in one district, Ampara), the Freedom People's Congress, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Dayasiri wing), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (which contested separately in two districts, Ampara and Batticaloa), and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (consisting of the National Union of Workers, the United Progressive Alliance, the Democratic People's Front and the Up-Country People's Front).
  3. ^ Alliance consisting of the Ceylon Workers' Congress (which contested under the symbol of the United National Party in Nuwara Eliya), the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, the National Unity Alliance, the National Congress, the New Lanka Freedom Party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Nimal wing), the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (pro-Ranil wing), and the United National Party.
  4. ^ Alliance consisting of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, the Democratic Left Front, the Independent MPs Forum, the Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya.
  5. ^ Alliance consisting of the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front, the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam and the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization.
  6. ^ The Tamil National People's Front contested under the name and symbol of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress.
  7. ^ Alliance consisting of the Frontline Socialist Party and the New Democratic Marxist–Leninist Party.
  8. ^ Resigned on 13 December 2024 over a controversy regarding educational qualifications.
  9. ^ a b c d Name published in The Gazette Extraordinary on 12 December 2024. To be sworn in at the next parliamentary meeting.
  10. ^ Name published in The Gazette Extraordinary on 11 December 2024. To be sworn in at the next parliamentary meeting.
  11. ^ Name published in The Gazette Extraordinary on 22 November 2024. Sworn in on 3 December 2024.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Proclamation by the President" (PDF). The Gazette Extraordinary. Department of Government Printing. 24 September 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Balasuriya, Darshana Sanjeewa (24 September 2024). "General election on November 14". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b * For the proclamation by the President: "The Gazette Extraordinary - No.2410/02 of Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Proclamation by the President" (PDF). Presidential Secretariat. 12 November 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Constitution of the D. S. R. of Sri Lanka (As amended up to 31st October 2022)" (PDF). Parliament of Sri Lanka. 30 March 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981" (PDF). Parliament of Sri Lanka. 22 January 1981. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Presidential Election – 2024" (PDF). The Gazette Extraordinary. 22 September 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Presidential Election Results – 2024". Election Commission of Sri Lanka. 22 September 2024. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b Parliamentary officials and leaders:
  9. ^ "Number of members to be returned for each Electoral District as required under Article 98(8) of the Constitution – After certification of 2024(1) Supplementory Electoral Register (2024.02.01 – 2024.05.31) as at 2024.07.08" (PDF). Election Commission of Sri Lanka. October 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Parliamentary Election Results – 2020". Election Commission of Sri Lanka. 7 June 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Presidential Election Results – 2024". Election Commission of Sri Lanka. 22 September 2024. Archived from the original on 26 October 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  12. ^ * For new election records: "From 3% to 61%: Six major records NPP broke in historic election victory". Ada Derana. 16 November 2024. Archived from the original on 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Record number of women elected to Sri Lankan Parliament in 2024". Newswire. 16 November 2024. Archived from the original on 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Sri Lanka's tenth Parliament to welcome over 150 fresh faces as MPs". Ada Derana. 17 November 2024. Archived from the original on 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  15. ^ "NPP names Visually Impaired Activist to Parliament". Newswire. 17 November 2024. Archived from the original on 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  16. ^ "Sri Lanka's first vision-impaired MP to receive special seating arrangement in Parliament". Ada Derana. 18 November 2024. Archived from the original on 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  17. ^ a b * For a comprehensive list of election results: "Parliamentary Election 2024 Results". Election Commission of Sri Lanka. 15 November 2024. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  18. ^ Appointment of PM, cabinet ministers and assignment of duties:
  19. ^ Appointment of deputy ministers:
  20. ^ President presents the government's policy statement:
  21. ^ Government's policy statement – 2024:
  22. ^ "Cabinet approval to present Vote on Account; 2025 Budget Speech on Feb.17". Ada Derana. 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  23. ^ The interim vote on account – 2024/2025:
  24. ^ Appointments:
  25. ^ Allegations of impropriety:
  26. ^ Resignation:
  27. ^ * For the MPs elected from Electoral districts: "The Gazette Extraordinary, No.2410/07 of 2024.11.15 – Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981" (PDF). Election Commission of Sri Lanka. 15 November 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
[edit]