Government Moves to Cut Parliament, State - Sector Paper Use Through Digitalisation

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said today (10) that steps are being taken to reduce paper usage in Parliament and across the government sector through digitalization.

Responding to a question raised in Parliament on digitalization and paper usage, the Prime Minister said Rs. 177.1 million had been spent over the past three years on parliamentary printing requirements, including Hansard reports, Order Papers and agendas provided to Members of Parliament and Ministers.

Accordingly, printing expenditure amounted to Rs. 45.3 million in 2023, Rs. 58.7 million in 2024 and Rs. 73.1 million in 2025.

Dr. Amarasuriya said the printing was carried out in accordance with requests made by Parliament, while a programme is now being formulated to reduce paper usage in the future.

She said the possibility of providing reports submitted to Parliament exclusively in digital format had also been discussed by the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

A survey will be conducted to determine MPs’ preferences on the matter. Based on the findings, digital copies will be provided to members who prefer electronic documents, while printed copies will continue to be provided to those who request them, the Prime Minister said.

She further noted that initiatives to reduce paper consumption and promote digitalization are being implemented across ministries and government institutions, although the transition would require some time to be fully completed.

As an example, the Prime Minister cited the Ministry of Education, where several administrative processes have already been digitized, including procedures for granting leave to university professors travelling overseas.