The Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, the Deputy Speaker and the Chair of Committees 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 Superior Courts Complex Board of Management for the year 2020

(ii) Proclamation made and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2272/09 of 21st March 2022 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
(iii)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance under Section 32 read with Sections 8 and 30 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) amended, regarding Security Features and Security Features Management System, and published in the Gazette Extraordinary  No. 2249/50 of 16th October 2021
    (Excise Notification No. 10/2021)
(iv)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance under Section 25 read with Section 32 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) amended from time to time, and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2260/78 of 01st January 2022
    (Excise Notification No. 01/2022)
(v)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance under Section 25 read with Section 32 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) amended from time to time, regarding Annual Liquor License Fees, and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2260/79 of 01st January 2022
    (Excise Notification No. 02/2022)
(vi)    Order made by the Minister of Finance under Section 3(3) of the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, No. 18 of 2011 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary   No. 2261/58 of 06th January 2022
(vii)    Order made by the Minister of Finance under Section 3(3) of the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, No. 18 of 2011 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary   No. 2262/19 of 11th January 2022


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Chair of the Committee Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage     -   Three Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. Dharmalingam Sithadthan                    
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. (Ven.) Athuraliye Rathana Thero

Fertilizer related issues


Ministerial Statements

The Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Regional Co-operation, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs replied to the Questions raised by the Hon. (Ven.) Athuraliye Rathana Thero under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 11.03.2022 regarding Genocide Resolution on Sri Lanka at Ontario Parliament in Canada.


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Minister of Agriculture moved the Bill entitled

“Animal Welfare”

to provide for Animal Welfare and to prevent cruelty to Animals; to repeal the prevention of cruelty to Animals ordinance (chapter 475); and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.


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

Select Committee of Parliament to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 05th April 2021 be extended up to 31st May 2022 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament


Private Members’ Bills

The Hon. Rohana Bandara was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Dr. S. S. Gunawardana Indigenous Ayurveda Development Foundation (Incorporation)”

Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 and 2 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House:-
(i)    Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - with amendments
(ii)    Resolution under the Inland Revenue Act


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Mayadunna Chinthaka Amal
(ii)    The Hon. Vadivel Suresh


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Right to become election candidate for field officers” was proposed by the Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1733 Hrs. until 1000 Hrs. on Friday 25th March 2022.

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