PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : To appoint Member to the Constitutional Council
B : Member to serve in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media      
C : Members to serve in the Committee on Public Accounts      
D : Member to serve in the Committee on Public Enterprises


Presentation of Papers

Proclamation made and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2308/62 of 03rd December 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


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture was presented by the Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce and Food Security was presented by the Hon. Nalin Fernando, the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva, Attorney at Law  -  Two Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. Wajira Abeywardana
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. (Ven.) Athuraliye Rathana Thero

Cannabis cultivation

The Hon. State Minister of Indigenous Medicine replied to the above Question.


Privilege

The Privilege motion that the question of privilege arising out of the matter raised by the Hon. (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha, M.P. on 5th December, 2022 in Parliament to the effect that his privileges have been infringed, moved by the Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament, was referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 118 of the Parliament.


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

(i) Committee on Banking and Financial Services

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 122 of the Parliament and the resolution adopted by Parliament on 26th November 2022, the Committee on Banking and Financial Services shall consists of seventeen (17) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament, as per the decision taken on 05th December 2022, by the Committee of Selection

(ii) Committee on Economic Stabilization

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 123 of the Parliament and the resolution adopted by Parliament on 26th November 2022, the Committee on Economic Stabilization shall consists of seventeen (17) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament, as per the decision taken on 05th December 2022, by the Committee of Selection

(iii) Committee on Ways and Means

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 124 of the Parliament and the resolution adopted by Parliament on 26th November 2022, the Committee on Ways and Means shall consists of seventeen (17) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament, as per the decision taken on 05th December 2022, by the Committee of Selection


Main Business of the House for Today

Appropriation Bill (2023) - Committee

Appropriation Bill – Nineteenth Allotted Day - Committee Stage Debate


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1921 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 8th December 2022.


[Budget 2023]

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