Sri Lanka: Parliament Timeline

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Referendums
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First Referendum
Date of Poll : 22nd December 1982 (Gaz. 219/2 of 14.11.1982)
Proposal : "Do you approve the Bill entitled 'the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution' published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 218/23 of November 13, 1982, which provides inter alia that 'unless sooner dissolved the First Parliament shall continue until August 4, 1989, and no longer and shall thereupon stand dissolved?'"

No. of votes given in favour of the proposal (Lamp) 3,141,223
No. of votes given against the proposal (Pot) 2,605,983
Total valid votes 5,747,206
No. of votes rejected 21,456
Whole No. of Electors 8,145,015
Second Referendum
Date of Poll : 21st August 2001 (Gaz. 1192/16 of 10.07.2001)
Proposal : "Is a new Constitution a matter of national importance and necessity needed for the Country?"

Postponed the date of poll to 18th October 2001. (Gaz. 1196/18 of 07.08.2001)

Revoked the proclamation published in Gaz. No. 1192/16 of 10.07.2001 as varied by Gaz. 1196/18 of 07.08.2001 on 02.09.2001 by Gaz. 1199/30
Dates of Elections
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1. General Election - 1st State Council 13 .06.1931 - 20.06.1931
(7 days)
2. General Election - 2nd State Council 22.02.1936 - 07.03.1936
(11 days)
3. General Election - House of Representatives
(1st Parliament) 23.08.1947 - 20.09.1947
(19 days)
4. General Election - House of Representatives
(2nd Parliament) 24.05.1952 - 30.05.1952
(4 days)
5. General Election - House of Representatives
(3rd Parliament) 05.04.1956 - 10.04.1956
(3 days)
6. General Election - House of Representatives
(4th Parliament) 19.03.1960
7. General Election - House of Representatives
(5th Parliament) 20.07.1960
8. General Election - House of Representatives
(6th Parliament) 22.03.1965
9. General Election - House of Representatives
(7th Parliament) 27.05.1970
10. General Election - 2nd National State Assembly
(8th Parliament) 21.07.1977
11. Presidential Election (1st) 20.10.1982
12. Referendum 22.12.1982
13.
Provincial Councils Election

North Western Province 28.04.1988
North Central Province 28.04.1988
Uva Province 28.04.1988
Sabaragamuwa Province 28.04.1988
Western Province 02.06.1988
Central Province 02.06.1988
Southern Province 09.06.1988
North Eastern Province 19.11.1988
14. Presidential Election (2nd) 19.12.1988
15.
General Election - 2nd Parliament of the D.S.R. of
Sri Lanka
(9th Parliament)
15.02.1989
16. Local Government Election 11.05.1991
17. Provincial Councils Election 17.05.1993
Southern Province 24.03.1994
18. Local Government Election - Eastern Province 01.03.1994
19.
General Election - 3rd Parliament of the D.S.R. of
Sri Lanka
(10th Parliament)
16.08.1994
20. Presidential Election (3rd) 09.11.1994
21. Local Government Election 21.03.1997
22. Provincial Councils Election
North Western Province 25.01.1999
Western Province 06.04.1999
Central Province 06.04.1999
North Central Province 06.04.1999
Uva Province 06.04.1999
Sabaragamuwa Province 06.04.1999
Southern Province 10.06.1999
23. Presidential Election (4th) 21.12.1999
24.
General Election - 4th Parliament of the D.S.R of
Sri Lanka
(11th Parliament)
10.10.2000
25.
General Election - 5th Parliament of the D.S.R. of
Sri Lanka
(12th Parliament)
05.12.2001
26. Local Government Election 20.03.2002 & 20.05.2002
Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha 08.03.2003
27.
General Election - 6th Parliament of the D.S.R. of
Sri Lanka
(13th Parliament)
02.04.2004
28. Provincial Councils Election
North Western Province 25.04.2004
Other Six Provinces 10.07.2004
29. Presidential Election (5th) 17.11.2005
30. Local Government Election 30.03.2006 & 20.05.2006
Batticaloa District 10.03.2008
31. Provincial Councils Election
Eastern Province 10.05.2008
North Central Province 23.08.2008
Sabaragamuwa Province 23.08.2008
Central Province 14.02.2009
North Western Province 14.02.2009
Western Province 25.04.2009
Uva Province 08.08.2009
32. Local Government Election
Jaffna Municipal Council 08.08.2009
Vavuniya Urban Council 08.08.2009
33. Provincial Councils Election
Southern Province 10.10.2009
34. Presidential Election (6th) 26.01.2010
35.
General Election - 7th Parliament of the D.S.R. of
Sri Lanka
(14th Parliament)
08.04.2010 & 20.04.2010
36. Local Government Election 17.03.2011, 23.07.2011, 08.10.2011
37. Provincial Councils Election
Eastern Province 08.09.2012
North Central Province 08.09.2012
Sabaragamuwa Province 08.09.2012
Central Province 21.09.2013
Northern Province 21.09.2013
North Western Province 21.09.2013
Duration of Parliament
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Dates of nomination, election, dissolution and duration of Parliaments
First State Council
Nomination 04 May 1931
General Election
13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 June 1931 (07 days)
Dissolved 07 December 1935
Duration 4 years 5 months 1 day

Second State Council
Nomination 15 January 1936
General Election
22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 & 29 February and
2, 3, 5, & 7 March 1936 (11 days)
Dissolved 04 July 1947
Duration 11 years 3 months 18 days

First Parliament - House of Representatives
Nomination 26 July 1947
General Election
23, 25, 26, 27, 28 & 30 August and
1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17,18 & 20 September 1947 (19 days)
First Meeting 14 October 1947
Dissolved 08 April 1952
Duration
4 years 5 months 25 days

Second Parliament - House of Representatives
Nomination 28 April 1952
General Election 24, 26, 28 & 30 May 1952 (04 days)
First Meeting 09 June 1952
Dissolved 18 February 1956
Duration 3 years 8 months 10 days

Third Parliament - House of Representatives
Nomination 08 March 1956
General Election 5, 7, & 10 April 1956 (03 days)
First Meeting 19 April 1956
Dissolved 05 December 1959
Duration 3 years 7 months 17 days

Fourth Parliament - House of Representatives
Nomination 04 January 1960
General Election 19 March 1960
First Meeting 30 March 1960
Dissolved 23 April 1960
Duration 24 days
(General Election to the Fourth Parliament was for the first time held on one day)

Fifth Parliament - House of Representatives
Nomination 20 May 1960
General Election 20 July 1960
First Meeting 05 August 1960
Dissolved 17 December 1964
Gaz. No. 14259 of 17.12.64
Duration 4 years 4 months 13 days

Sixth Parliament - House of Representatives
Nomination 11 January 1965
General Election 22 March 1965
First Meeting 05 April 1965
Dissolved 25 March 1970
Gaz. No. 14898/7 of 25.03.70
Duration 4 years 11 months 20 days

Seventh Parliament - House of Representatives
Nomination 23 April 1970
General Election 27 May 1970
First Meeting 07 June 1970
Duration 1 year 11 months 15 days
(With the promulgation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka on 22 May 1972 the National State Assembly superseded the Seventh Parliament)

First National State Assembly
First Meeting 22 May 1972
Dissolved 18 May 1977
Gaz. No. 265/8 of 18.05.77
Duration 4 years 11 months 26 days

Second National State Assembly
Nomination 06 June 1977
General Election 21 July 1977
First Meeting
04 August 1977
Duration 1 year 1 month 3 days
(With the promulgation of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on 07 September 1978 the First Parliament superseded the Second National State Assembly)

First Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
First Meeting 07 September 1978
(By the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution * the duration of the First Parliament was extended until 04 August 1989)
*(Referendum on 22 December 1982)
Dissolved 20 December 1988
Gaz. No. 537/2 of 20.12.88
Duration 10 years 3 months 13 days

Second Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
Nomination 06 January 1989
Gaz. No. 537/2 of 20.12.88
General Election 15 February 1989
Gaz. No. 537/2 of 20.12.88
First Meeting 09 March 1989
Gaz. No. 537/2 of 20.12.88
Dissolved 24 June 1994
Gaz. No. 824/18 of 24.06.94
Duration 5 years 3 months 15 days

Third Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
Nomination 11 July 1994
Gaz. No. 824/18 of 24.06.94
General Election 16 August 1994
Gaz. No. 824/18 of 24.06.94
First Meeting
25 August 1994
Gaz. No. 833/9 of 24.08.1994
Dissolved 18 August 2000
Gaz. No. 1145/26 of 18.08.2000
Duration 5 years 11 months 23 days

Fourth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
Nomination period
28 August 2000 - 04 September 2000
Gaz. No. 1145/26 of 18.08.2000
General Election 10 October 2000
Gaz. No. 1145/26 of 18.08.2000
First Meeting 18 October 2000 at 2.30 p.m.
Dissolved 10 October 2001
Gaz. No. 1205/12 of 10.10.2001
Duration 11 months 22 days

Fifth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
Nomination period
20 October 2001 - 27 October 2001
Gaz. No. 1205/12 of 10.10.2001
General Election 05 December 2001
Gaz. No. 1205/12 of 10.10.2001
First Meeting 19 December 2001
Gaz. No. 1214/23 of 12.12.2001
Dissolved 07 February 2004
Gaz. No. 1326/13 of 07.02.2004
Duration 2 years 1 month 18 days

Sixth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
Nomination period
17 February 2004 - 24 February 2004
Gaz. No. 1326/13 of 07.02.2004
General Election 02 April 2004
Gaz. No. 1326/13 of 07.02.2004
First Meeting
22 April 2004
Gaz. No. 1326/13 of 07.02.2004
Dissolved
09 February 2010
Gaz. No. 1640/16 of 09.02.2010
Duration 5 years 9 months 17 days

Seventh Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
Nomination period 19 February 2010 - 26 February 2010
Gaz. No. 1640/16 of 09.02.2010
General Election 08 & 20 April 2010
Gaz. No. 1640/16 of 09.02.2010 &
Gaz. No. 1648/16 of 10.04.2010
First Meeting 22 April 2010
Gaz. No. 1640/16 of 09.02.2010
Sessions of Parliament
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First Parliament - House of Representatives

First Session
First Meeting 14 October 1947
Summoned*
25 November 1947
Prorogued 31 January 1948
*Governor - His Excellency Sir Henry Monek-Mason Moore, G.C.M.G.

Second Session
Summoned* 10 February 1948
Prorogued 17 June 1949
*The Second Session, the first after Independence, was opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.

Third Session
Summoned* 12 July 1949
Prorogued 06 April 1950
*His Excellency Rt. Hon. Lord Soulbury's first Speech from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament after he was appointed Governor-General.

Fourth Session
Summoned 20 June 1950
Prorogued 24 April 1951

Fifth Session
Summoned 20 June 1951
Dissolved 08 April 1952

Second Parliament - House of Representatives

First Session
First Meeting 09 June 1952
Summoned
10 June 1952
Prorogued 29 April 1953

Second Session
Summoned 07 July 1953
Prorogued 31 March 1954

Third Session
Summoned* 12 April 1954
Prorogued 27 April 1955
*The Third Session was declared open by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Fourth Session
Summoned* 07 June 1955
Dissolved 18 February 1956
*His Excellency Sir Oliver Goonetilleke's first Speech from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament after he was appointed Governor-General.

Third Parliament - House of Representatives

First Session
First Meeting 19 April 1956
Summoned
20 April 1956
Prorogued 03 May 1957

Second Session
Summoned 13 June 1957
Prorogued 15 May 1958

Third Session
Summoned* 04 June 1958
Prorogued 23 May 1959
*The date fixed for the summoning of the Third Session was 12 June 1958, but owing to declaration of a State of Emergency Parliament was summoned to meet on 04 June 1958.

Fourth Session
Summoned 30 June 1959
Dissolved 05 December 1959

Fourth Parliament - House of Representatives

First Session
First Meeting 30 March 1960
Summoned
06 April 1960
Dissolved 23 April 1960

Fifth Parliament - House of Representatives

First Session
First Meeting 05 August 1960
Summoned
12 August 1960
Prorogued 04 July 1961

Second Session
Summoned 13 July 1961
Prorogued 20 June 1962

Third Session
Summoned 11 July 1962
Prorogued 06 May 1963

Fourth Session
Summoned* 17 July 1963
Prorogued 12 March 1964
*His Excellency Mr. William Gopallawa's first speech from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament after he was appointed Governor-General.

Fifth Session
Summoned 02 July 1964
Prorogued 12 November 1964

Sixth Session
Summoned 20 November 1964
Dissolved 17 December 1964 (Gaz. No. 14259)

Sixth Parliament - House of Representatives

First Session
First Meeting 05 April 1965
Summoned
09 April 1965
Prorogued 22 June 1966

Second Session
Summoned 08 July 1966
Prorogued 20 June 1967

Third Session
Summoned 08 July 1967
Prorogued 22 June 1968

Fourth Session
Summoned 07 July 1968
Prorogued 25 June 1969

Fifth Session
Summoned 10 July 1969
Dissolved 25 March 1970 (Gaz. No. 14898)

Seventh Parliament - House of Representatives


First Session
First Meeting 07 June 1970
Summoned
14 June 1970
Prorogued 23 March 1971

Second Session
Summoned 28 March 1971
Parliament Ends 22 May 1972
With the promulgation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka on 22 May 1972 the National State Assembly superseded the Parliament.

First National State Assembly
First Meeting 22 May 1972
Prorogued
10 February 1977
Dissolved 18 May 1977 (Gaz. No. 265/

Second National State Assembly
First Meeting 04 August 1977
National State Assembly Ends
07 September 1978
The First Meeting of the Second National State Assembly was fixed for 26 August 1977, but after the General Election of July the new Prime Minister, Mr. J. R. Jayewardene advised the President to summon the NSA to meet on 04 August 1977 - Gaz. No. 275/15 of 28.07.77.

First Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka

First Parliament came into being on the promulgation of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on 7 September 1978 whereby the National State Assembly was superseded by Parliament.

By the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution which was approved by the People at a Referendum on 22 December 1982 the duration of the First Parliament was extended until 4 August 1989. But was dissolved on 20 December 1988, the day following the Second Presidential Election.

First Session
First Meeting 07 September 1978
Prorogued 26 March 1982

Second Session
Summoned 29 April 1982
Prorogued 07 January 1983

Third Session
Summoned 09 February 1983
Prorogued 19 January 1984

Fourth Session
Summoned 23 February 1984
Prorogued 25 January 1985

Fifth Session
Summoned 20 February 1985
Prorogued 31 January 1986

Sixth Session
Summoned 20 February 1986
Prorogued 27 January 1987 (Gaz. 438/2 of 27.01.87)

Seventh Session
Summoned 19 February 1987 (Gaz. 438/3 of 27.01.87)
Prorogued 22 January 1988 (Gaz. 489/38 of 22.01.88)

Eight Session
Summoned 25 February 1988 (Gaz. 489/38 of 22.01.88)
Dissolved 20 December 1988 (Gaz. 537/2 of 20.12.88)

Second Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka

First Session
Summoned 09 March 1989
Prorogued 23 March 1990 (Gaz. 602/21 of 23.03.90)

Second Session
Summoned 04 April 1990 (Gaz. 602/22 of 23.03.90)
Prorogued 21 March 1991 (Gaz. 654/13 of 21.03.91)

Third Session
Summoned 19 April 1991 (Gaz. 654/14 of 21.03.91)
Prorogued 30 August 1991 (Gaz. 677/15 of 30.08.91)

Fourth Session
Summoned 24 September 1991 (Gaz. 677/16 of 30.08.91)
Prorogued 23 March 1993 (Gaz. 759/4 of 23.03.93)

Fifth Session
Summoned 22 April 1993 (Gaz. 759/5 of 23.03.93)
Dissolved 24 June 1994 (Gaz. 824/18 of 24.06.94)

Third Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka

First Session
Summoned 25 August 1994 (Gaz. 833/9 of 24.08.94)
Prorogued 15 December 1994 (Gaz. 849/16 of 15.12.94)

Second Session
Summoned 06 January 1995 (Gaz. 849/16 of 15.12.94)
Prorogued 12 January 1996 (Gaz. 905/15 of 12.01.96)

Third Session
Summoned 09 February 1996 (Gaz. 905/16 of 12.01.96)
Dissolved 18 August 2000 (Gaz.1145/26 of 18.08. 2000)

Fourth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka

First Session
Summoned 18 October 2000 (Gaz. 1145/26 of 18.08.2000)
Prorogued 27 October 2000 (Gaz. 1155/17 of 27.10.2000)

Second Session
Summoned 09 November 2000 (Gaz. 1155/17 of 27.10.2000)
Prorogued 10 July 2001 (Gaz. 1192/14 of 10.07.2001)

Third Session
Summoned* 06 September 2001 (Gaz. 1199/31 of 02.09.2001)
*The date fixed for the summoning of the third session was 07 September 2001 but it was advanced to meet on 06 September 2001 on the request of the JVP to form a probationary government (PA+JVP).
Dissolved 10 October 2001 (Gaz. 1205/12 of 10.10.2001)

Fifth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka

First Session
Summoned 19 December 2001 (Gaz. 1214/23 of 12.12.2001)
Prorogued 03 November 2003 (Gaz. 1313/06 of 03.11.2003)

Second Session
Summoned 19 November 2003 (Gaz. 1313/06 of 03.11.2003)
Dissolved 07 February 2004 (Gaz. 1326/13 of 07.02.2004)

Sixth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka

First Session
Summoned 22 April 2004 (Gaz. 1335/20 of 08.04.2004)
Prorogued 21 November 2005 (Gaz. 1420/1 of 21.11.2005)

Second Session
Summoned 25 November 2005 (Gaz. 1420/1 of 21.11.2005)
Prorogued 06 May 2008 (Gaz. 1548/18 of 06.05.2008)

Third Session
Summoned 05 June 2008 (Gaz. 1548/19 of 06.05.2008)
Prorogued 17 May 2009 (Gaz. 1601/40 of 17.05.2009)

Fourth Session
Summoned 19 May 2009 (Gaz. 1601/41 of 17.05.2009)
Dissolved 09 February 2010 (Gaz. 1640/16 of 09.02.2010)
Reconvened the Parliament on 09 March 2010 (in order that the fact of the making the emergency proclamation be communicated to Parliament) - Gaz. 1643/20 of 02.03.2010

Seventh Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka

First Session
Summoned 22 April 2010 (Gaz. 1648/2 of 05.04.2010 & Gaz. 1648/14 of 08.04.2010)
Secretaries-General of Parliament
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Clerk of the State Council 07 July 1931 - 04 July 1947
Mr. G. N. Farquhar, M.C., C.C.S. continued from L/C (29 February 1930) - 05 July 1932
Mr. V. Coomaraswamy, C.C.S. 06 July 1932 - 20 June 1933
Mr. E. W. Kannangara, C.C.S. 21 June 1933 - 25 September 1940
Mr. D. C. R. Gunawardana, C.C.S. 26 September 1940 - 30 June 1947
Mr. R.St. L. P. Deraniyagala, C.B.E. 01 July 1947 - continued in the H/R

Clerk to the House of Representatives 14 October 1947 - 22 May 1972
Mr. R.St. L. P. Deraniyagala, C.B.E. continued from S/C - 26 October 1964
Mr. S. S. Wijesinha 27 October 1964 - 22 May 1972

Clerk to the National State Assembly 22 May 1972 - 07 September 1978
Mr. S. S. Wijesinha 22 May 1972 - 07 September 1978

Secretary-General of Parliament 07 September 1978 - to date
Mr. S. S. Wijesinha 07 September 1978 - 31 July 1981
Mr. S. N. Seneviratne 01 August 1981 - 27 May 1994
Mr. Bertram Tittawella 28 May 1994 - 14 February 1999
Mr. Dhammika Kitulgoda 15 February 1999 - 31 July 2002
(Parliament functioned without SG from 1st - 11th August 2002)
Mrs. Priyanee Wijesekera Actg. SG
Secretary-General 12 August 2002 - 4 June 2003
5 June 2003 - 30 March 2008
Mr. Dhammika Kitulgoda Actg. SG
Secretary-General 31 March 2008 - 27 August 2010
28 August 2010 - 14 February 2012
Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake 15 February 2012 - to date