PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Meetings of the Committee on Parliamentary Business and Committee of Selection


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka for the year 2019
(ii)    Annual Report of the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka for the year 2019
(iii)    Annual Performance Report of the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation for the year 2020
(iv)    Annual Report of the Ceylon Electricity Board for the year 2019
(v)    Performance Report of the State Ministry of Company Estate Reforms, Tea and Rubber Estates Related Crops Cultivation and Factories Modernization and Tea and Rubber Export Promotion for the year 2020

(vi) Regulations made by the Minister of Finance under Section 29 read with Section 7 of the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2234/19 of 30th June 2021
(vii)    Regulations made by the Minister of Finance under Section 29 read with Section 7 of the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2234/20 of 30th June 2021
(viii)    Order made by the Minister of Finance under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2234/49 of 02nd July 2021
(ix)    Regulations made by the Minister of Finance under Section 29 read with Section 7 of the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2235/22 of 06th July 2021


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. (Major) Pradeep Undugoda                    
(ii)    The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya
                   
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Ministerial Statements

Hon. (Mrs.) Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, Minister of Health replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 03.08.2021 regarding Raising of Covid-19.


Questions of Privilege

(i)    Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Denied entry to Harbour police to visit detained teachers

(ii) Hon. Sagara Kariyawasam

Discrepancies in Second Reading of Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill electronic voting


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament moved the Bill entitled

“Petroleum Resources”

to provide for, the establishment of the Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka; the formulation  of a National Policy on Upstream Petroleum Industry and Regulation and management structure capturing the maximum Economic value of Domestic Petroleum Resources through Modern Exploration, Development, Production and Management practices in Sri Lanka; to repeal the Petroleum Resources Act, No. 26 of 2003; and to provide for matters connected therewith of incidental thereto.


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 2 to 5 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-

(i) Three Orders under the Strategic Development Projects Act
(ii) Supplementary Sum— Head 441— Programme 01 & 02


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri
(ii)    The Hon. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Providing relief to parties aggrieved due to the FCID and taking legal action thereof” was proposed by the Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1735 Hrs. until 1000 Hrs. on Friday 6th August 2021.

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