In response to a growing number of legal consultations and court cases involving Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee has decided to establish a dedicated Legal Unit within the Parliament of Sri Lanka to provide necessary legal assistance.
This decision was made during a recent meeting of the Advisory Committee chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, the Parliamentary Communications Department announced.
In a move to enhance accessibility, the Committee also approved the expansion of sign language interpretation services currently available in Parliament. With sponsorship from the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Capital Investment Fund, sign language facilities will be extended to Committee Rooms No. 05 and 06.
The Committee further reviewed the progress of ongoing renovations to the Parliament building. Priority projects include repairing roof leaks, fixing the mechanism of the main copper door, upgrading sanitary facilities, enhancing the Parliamentary Medical Center, and installing a fire detection system. These renovations are to be carried out with support from the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Police.
Approval was also granted for improvements at the Madiwela Housing Complex for MPs. These upgrades will be implemented using labor provided by the Sri Lanka Army, in line with the 2025 budget and procurement regulations.
Additionally, a solar-powered water supply system will be installed at the Speaker’s official residence. This project, to be implemented with the cooperation of the Sri Lanka Navy, includes the installation of two solar systems through an open procurement process managed by the Parliament’s Supplies and Services Department.
Attention was also drawn to the expansion and construction of security infrastructure at the Pinniyara entrance of the Parliamentary complex. Although Rs. 67 million had initially been allocated, this was reduced to Rs. 3 million on the Speaker’s instructions by revising the original design. The construction work, including an additional security post, will be carried out with labor provided by the Sri Lanka Navy.
To support the Tripartite External Expert Committee, appointed under the Speaker’s guidance to restructure staff salaries and benefits, the Committee approved the recruitment of a Committee Secretary, Computer Operator, and Management Services Assistant, in accordance with Public Administration Circular No. 06/2006.
Moreover, the Committee discussed the allocation of the Parliament-owned Shrawasthi Mandiraya building to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training. Parties currently occupying space within the complex will be given a one-month period to remove their property, with reminder letters to be issued accordingly.
Finally, under Standing Order 121 (5)(I), the Committee approved a proposal to compensate technical experts involved in preparing reports for the Committee on Public Finance, subject to formal approval from the Committee on Public Finance.
