Sri Lanka, Aug. 11 -- The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the publication of a new Immigration Bill in the Government Gazette, paving the way for its submission to Parliament for approval.

The proposed legislation is intended to replace the Immigrants and Emigrants Act No. 20 of 1948.

A previous Bill drafted for this purpose had been presented to Parliament, but further proceedings were halted following the dissolution of the Ninth Parliament on September 24, 2024.

Following the dissolution, the government reviewed the legislation in light of a Supreme Court determination on the previous Bill. Cabinet approval was subsequently granted on August 18, 2025, to prepare a new Immigration Bill.

The Cabinet later approved, on December 10, ...