Parliament of Sri Lanka Facts for Kids

The Parliament of Sri Lanka is the most important law-making group in Sri Lanka. It is where new laws are created and old ones are changed. This Parliament helps to run the country and make sure things are fair for everyone.

It is made up of 225 people called Members of Parliament, or MPs for short. These MPs are chosen by the people of Sri Lanka to represent them. The Parliament works a bit like the British Parliament, which means it has a similar way of making decisions.

What is the Parliament of Sri Lanka?
- Who are the Members of Parliament (MPs)?
- What Does the Parliament Do?
History of Sri Lanka's Parliament
- Early Days of Law-Making
- Parliament After Independence
Where Does the Parliament Meet?
- Old Parliament Buildings
How Does Parliament Work?
- Making a New Law
Images for kids
See also

What is the Parliament of Sri Lanka?

The Parliament of Sri Lanka is the main place where laws are made for the whole country. Think of it as a big meeting hall where elected people decide on rules that everyone in Sri Lanka needs to follow. These rules cover everything from education and health to how businesses work.

Who are the Members of Parliament (MPs)?

MPs are people who have been voted for by citizens across Sri Lanka. Each MP represents a certain area or a group of people. Their job is to speak for the people who elected them and make sure their voices are heard when new laws are being discussed. There are 225 MPs in total.

What Does the Parliament Do?

The main job of the Parliament is to make, change, and remove laws. They also approve the government's plans and how money is spent. This helps to keep the government accountable and ensures that decisions are made for the good of the country.

History of Sri Lanka's Parliament

Sri Lanka has a long history of having a law-making body. Before it became fully independent, it had different councils that helped make rules. After gaining independence in 1948, the country set up its own Parliament, similar to what we see today.

Early Days of Law-Making

Even before Sri Lanka became a fully independent nation, there were groups of people who helped make decisions and laws. These early groups slowly grew and changed over time, leading to the Parliament we have now.

Parliament After Independence

When Sri Lanka became independent, it was important to have its own strong law-making body. The first Parliament met in 1947. This was a big step for the country, showing that it could govern itself.

Where Does the Parliament Meet?

The Parliament of Sri Lanka meets in a special building in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, which is near the capital city of Colombo. This building was designed to be a modern and important place for the country's leaders to work.

Old Parliament Buildings

Before moving to its current home, the Parliament met in other buildings in Colombo. These older buildings also played an important role in the country's history and are now used for other government offices.

How Does Parliament Work?

When MPs meet in Parliament, they discuss new ideas for laws. They debate these ideas, which means they talk about the good and bad points of each one. They also vote on whether a new law should be passed.

Making a New Law

Someone suggests a new idea for a law.
MPs discuss and debate the idea.
They might make changes to the idea.
Finally, they vote. If most MPs vote "yes," the idea becomes a new law.

Images for kids

The 1947 opening of the first parliament at Independence Square by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester in the presence of D.S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Ceylon.
The Old Parliament Building near the Galle Face Green, now the Presidential Secretariat.
The old Legislative Council Building, Colombo Fort. Today houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.