Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (18) endorsed two recently passed amendment bills: the Animals (Amendment) Bill and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Bill.
The Bill to amend the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 was presented to Parliament for its first reading by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation on July 21, 2026. Parliament passed the Bill on August 6.
A key objective of the amendment is to broaden the legal definition of the term “animal” under Section 38 of the original Act.
The amendment also redefines the term “animal” to ensure that goats, pigs and sheep are brought within the scope of the provisions contained in Part II of the Act. Definitions relating to Part IV have also been clarified to include sheep, goats, pigs and poultry.
Meanwhile, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Bill, presented for its first reading on July 21 by the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, was also passed by Parliament on August 6.
The amendment updates the National Water Supply and Drainage Board Act No. 24 of 1974, strengthening the Board’s powers and functions in relation to the provision of water supply and wastewater management services.
The revised legislation expands the Board’s responsibilities to cover water and wastewater management services for industrial estates, industrial parks and community-based organisations.
It also provides for the expansion of employee insurance schemes, technical services, training services, laboratory services and consultancy services, with the aim of supporting more efficient and sustainable water and wastewater management.
The Speaker’s certification formally completes the parliamentary process for the two pieces of legislation.
