The run rate of passing laws in Sri Lanka’s Parliament has shifted over time, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration overtaking that of former President Maithripala Sirisena in legislative output at the 18‑month mark, according to a report by Colombo‑based think tank Verité Research.

The study compares legislative activity during the first 18 months of the two presidencies, both elected on platforms of anti‑corruption and governance reform. 

At six months, Sirisena’s presidency led decisively, having gazetted three times more bills and passed twice as many laws as Dissanayake’s. 

However, by nine months, the AKD presidency had caught up in terms of laws passed, and by 18 months, had enacted 32 laws compared to 20 under Sirisena.

While Sirisena’s government consistently led in the number of bills gazetted, 54 compared to Dissanayake’s 50, the report notes that the AKD presidency converted a much larger share of its gazetted bills into law. 

Parliament met for 126 days during Sirisena’s first 18 months and 136 days under Dissanayake, with both periods including an interim budget and a full‑year budget.

Verité Research concludes that the AKD presidency demonstrates greater efficiency in translating legislative proposals into enacted laws, marking a significant difference in parliamentary performance between the two reformist administrations.

Table 1: Legislative record of Parliament, 6 months in

Table 2: Legislative record of Parliament, 18 months in

(Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to introduce four new Acts and amend 09 existing laws in 2025.

The proposal includes the introduction of new laws and the amendment of old Acts to be empowered by the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing within this year under the government law formulation programme – 2025. 

New laws expected to be introduced: 

• National Drinking Community Water Development Act. 
• Sri Lanka actual property professional institutions act. 
• Act to legalize the China-Sri Lanka Consolidated Research and Model Centre. 
• The new act to facilitate condominium properties including provisions of Apartment Ownership (Special Provisions) Act No. 23 of 2018 as well. 

Amendments to be introduced to Acts: 

• Construction Industries Development Act No. 33 of 2014
• National Water Supply and Drainage Board Act No. 2 of 1974 
• Town and Country Planning Ordinance No. 13 of 1946 
• National Housing Development Authority Act No. 17 of 1979 
• Urban Settlement Development Authority Act No. 36 of 2008 
• Urban Development Authority Act No. 41 of 1978 
• Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2021
• Apartment Ownership Act No. 11 of 1973 
• Common Amenities Board Law No. 10 0f 1973 (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered strict legislation to prevent child abuse in Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.

According to the PMD, the President emphasized the urgency of combating child abuse perpetrated by teachers, elders, and various segments of society.

The President highlighted the importance of such measures pointing out the recent incidents of abuse, including the death of a 16-year-old girl and the abuse of 16 children by a tuition teacher, both reported from the Kalutara area. 

President Wickremesinghe also called for amendments to be made to existing legislation, underscoring the importance of careful consideration during the process. (NewsWire)

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