PARLIAMENT

The Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, the Deputy Speaker and the Chair of Committees took the Chair.


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill entitled “Surcharge Tax”
B : Endorsement of the certificate on Bills under Article 79 of the Constitution
C : Co-opted Members to serve on Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the Bill entitled “Sisira Jayakody Siyapatha Foundation (Incorporation)”


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

A.    
(i)    
•    Fourth Instalment – Part XXII of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2019; and
•    Fourth Instalment – Parts XVI and XVII, Fifth Instalment – Part I and Sixth Instalment – Parts I and II of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2020

in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

(ii) Eighth Instalment – Part V of the Performance Report of the Auditor-General on Regulatory Process on Non-Governmental Schools in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka    

B.
(i)    
•    Third Instalment – Part XIV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2017;
•    Third Instalment – Part XV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2018;
•    Second Instalment – Parts XXXIII and XXXIV, Third Instalment – Part XIV and Ninth Instalment – Part XXVI of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2019; and
•    Second Instalment – Parts XXIV, XXV and XXVI, Third Instalment – Part XIV and Ninth Instalment – Parts XI, XII, XIII and XIV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2020

in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

(ii) Tenth Instalment – Part I of the Special Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Operations of the Central Cultural Fund in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka    
(iii)    Eighth Instalment – Part IV of the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Role of Sri Lanka Standards Institution on Quality Product Sales in the Local Market in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Urban Development Authority for the year 2018
(ii)    Annual Performance Report of the Parliament of Sri Lanka for the year 2019
(iii)    Annual Report of the Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd for the year 2018
(iv)    Performance Report of the Department of Ayurveda for the year 2019
(v)    Annual Reports of the National Council for Elders for the years 2018 and 2019
(vi)    Annual Report of the Ayurveda Medical Council for the year 2020
(vii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation for the year 2019

Regulations made by the Minister of Transport under Section 237 read with Sections  122, 122A and Part VIIA of the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203) and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2251/63 of 29th October 2021


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign was presented by the Chair of the Committee Hon. (Prof.) G.L. Peiris.

(ii) The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Lands was presented by the Chair of the Committee Hon. S. M. Chandrasena.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Indika Anuruddha Herath                    
(ii)    The Hon. Eran Wickramaratne                    
(iii)    The Hon. Govindan Karunakaram                    
(iv)    The Hon. (Mrs.) Muditha Prishanthi                   
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


House agreed to the following Motions moved by the Hon. Johnston Fernando, the Chief Government Whip -

(i) Ministerial Consultative Committees

That notwithstanding the resolution adopted by Parliament on 21st  January 2022, the designation of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Wildlife and Forest Conservation shall be re-designated as “Ministerial Consultative Committee on Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation” as per the decision taken by the Committee of Selection on 16th  March  2022

(ii) Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka as specified in the Resolution passed by the Parliament on 09th March 2021 be extended up to 05th April 2023 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament


Main Business of the House for Today

Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill (appearing as Item No. 1 of today’s Order Paper)

Division was taken at the Second Reading (86 in favour; 35 against) and passed by the House with amendments.


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Hesha Withanage
(ii)    The Hon. Wasantha Yapabandara


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1710 Hrs. until 1000 Hrs. on Wednesday 23rd March 2022.

*  This is an unedited version. For the official record of this day's proceedings, please refer the Hansard.