PARLIAMENT

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


Official Oath or Affirmation by New Members

The Hon. Basil Rohana Rajapaksa was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before the Hon. Speaker to fill the vacancy caused by reason of the resignation of the Hon. Jayantha Ketagoda.


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Performance Report of the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers for the year 2020
(ii)    Annual Performance Report of the District Secretariat— Vavuniya for the year 2020
(iii)    Annual Performance Report & Accounts of the District Secretariat—Nuwara Eliya for the year 2020
(iv)    Performance Report of the District Secretariat— Kurunegala for the year 2020
(v)    Performance Report of the District Secretariat— Matara for the year 2020
(vi)    Annual Performance Report of the District Secretariat— Badulla for the year 2020
(vii)    Annual Performance & Accounts Report of the District Secretariat— Batticaloa for the year 2020
(viii)    Annual Performance Report & Accounts of the District Secretariat— Polonnaruwa for the year 2020
(ix)    Annual Performance and Accounts Report of the District Secretariat— Matale for the year 2020
(x)    Annual Performance Report of the District Secretariat— Galle for the year 2020
(xi)    Annual Performance Report & Accounts of the District Secretariat— Ampara for the year 2020
(xii)    Annual Performance Report of the District Secretariat— Mannar for the year 2020
(xiii)    Performance Report of the District Secretariat— Hambantota for the year 2020
(xiv)    Annual Performance & Accounts Report of the District Secretariat— Jaffna for the year 2020
(xv)    Annual Performance Report & Accounts of the District Secretariat— Puttalam for the year 2020
(xvi)    Annual Performance & Accounts Report of the District Secretariat— Kilinochchi for the year 2020
(xvii)    Performance Report of the District Secretariat— Mullaitivu for the year 2020
(xviii)    Annual Performance Report & Accounts of the District Secretariat— Kegalle for the year 2020
(xix)    Annual Performance and Financial Report of the District Secretariat— Colombo for the year 2020
(xx)    Annual Performance Report & Accounts of the District Secretariat— Kalutara for the year 2020
(xxi)    Annual Performance Report of the State Ministry of Tanks, Reservoirs and Irrigation Development Related to Rural Paddy Fields for the year 2020
(xxii)    Annual Performance Report of the State Ministry of Dhamma Schools, Parivenas and Bhikku Education for the year 2020
(xxiii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Water Supply for the year 2020
(xxiv)    Annual Reports of the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation for the years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committees on Defence was presented by the Hon. Nimal Siripala De Silva, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Industries was presented by the Hon. Lohan Ratwatte, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee Hon. Wimal Weerawansa.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. (Dr.) Ramesh Pathirana    -  Two Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. Prasanna Ranaweera        -  Two Petitions
(iii)    The Hon. S. B. Dissanayake            -  Two Petitions

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

(i)    The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

Difficulties faced by small and medium scale stakeholders of tourism industry

Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Tourism replied to the above Question.

(ii)    The Hon. (Ven.) Athuraliye Rathana Thero

Problems faced by Sri Lankan migrant workers due to Lebanon economic crisis

Hon. Nimal Siripala De Silva, Minister of Labour replied to the above Question.


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

Resolution on the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University Bill

That this Parliament resolves that, whereas the Attorney-General has expressed an opinion that the Provincial Councils be consulted as certain Clauses of the Bill entitled, General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University relate to the matters set out in List III (Concurrent List) of the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution, and whereas all the Provincial Councils stand dissolved at present, this Bill be considered and passed by Parliament in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 51(1) of the Parliament.


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 and 2 of today’s Order Paper) were debated and adjourned for a future date:-

(i)       General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University Bill - Second Reading
(ii)       Regulations  under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-

(i)    The Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte
(ii)    The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Release of allocated money for housing scheme in Jaffna and Kilinochchi” was proposed by the Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1740 Hrs. until 1000 Hrs. on Friday 09th July 2021.

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