PARLIAMENT

The Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the Speaker took the Chair.


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Receipt of the copies of petitions filed at the Supreme Court
B : Appointment of Assistant Secretary-General of Parliament


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the National Building Research Organization for the year 2018
(ii)    Annual Report of the National Institute of Language Education and Training for the year 2018
(iii)    Annual Reports of the National Science Foundation for the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
(iv)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Transport Board for the year 2020
(v)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd for the year 2017
(vi)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka National Freedom from Hunger Campaign Board for the year 2017
(vii)    Annual Report of the National Livestock Development Board for the year 2017
(viii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute for the year 2020

(ix) Report on the Submission of observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Ministry of Defence in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(x)    Proclamation made and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2323/02 of 13th March 2023 and Schedule thereto, by virtue of the powers vested with the President in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979
(xi)    Proclamation made and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2323/38 of 17th March 2023 and Schedule thereto, by virtue of the powers vested with the President in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979
(xii)    Order made by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms under Section 7(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Act, No. 2 of 2013, and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2317/28 of 30th January 2023


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development & Housing was presented by the Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture was presented by the Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms was presented by the Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC.
(iv)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Power & Energy was presented by the Hon. Kanchana Wijesekera, the Chair of the Committee.
(v)    The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Nalin Fernando, a member of the Committee.


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

IMF agreement and other several matters


House agreed to the following Motion moved by the Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament -

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

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, appointed by the Hon. Speaker, on 26th March 2021, presented an Interim Report on its findings within the time limit granted by the Resolution passed by Parliament on 09th March 2021 and the time period granted be extended up to 05th April 2024, 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

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 3 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House. Item No. 1 was not approved; Item No. 2 and 3 were approved:-

(i)    Rules under the Council of Legal Education Ordinance - Division was taken (01 in favour; 113 against)
(ii)    Resolution for the implementation of the recommendations of the Select Committee of Parliament to investigate into incidents of infringement of privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make suitable recommendations in that regard,- Adjourned Debate on Question (09th March, 2023) - Division was taken (75 in favour; 43 against)
(iii)    Regulations under the Petroleum Resources Act


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Streamlining of activities of sports associations” was proposed by the Hon. M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep Withana.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 22nd March 2023.

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