PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Members to serve in the Committee on Public Finance
B : Members to serve in the Committee on Parliamentary Business
C : Members to serve in the 17 Sectoral Oversight Committees
D : Members to serve in the 29 Ministerial Consultative Committees
E : Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee
F : Members to serve in the Committee on Standing Orders
G : Members to serve in the House Committee
H : Members to serve in the Committee on Ethics and Privileges
I : Members to serve in the Committee on Banking and Financial Services
J : Members to serve in the Committee on Economic Stabilization
K : Members to serve in the Committee on Ways and Means
L : Members to serve in the Committee on Public Petitions
M : Members to serve in the Backbencher Committee
N : Meeting of the Committee of Selection


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

A.
(i)    
•    Second Installment – Part XLV and Ninth Installment – Part XXXVII of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2018;
•    Second Installment – Part XLIV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2019;
•    Second Installment – Part XLII of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2020; and  
•    Second Installment – Part XXVIII, Third Installment – Part XIV and Ninth Installment – Part XXI of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2021;

in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

(ii) Tenth Installment – Part I of the Special Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Evaluation on the Purchase of Electricity from ACE Power Embilipitiya (Pvt) Ltd by the Ceylon Electricity Board in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

B.
Eleventh Volume – 02 of the Triennial Report of the Auditor-General on Specified Business Enterprises, in terms of Section 14 of the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018 received by the National Audit Office, in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Papers

(i) Performance Report of the Department of Samurdhi Development for the year 2021
(ii)    Annual Report of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies for the year 2019
(iii)    Annual Report of the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute for the year 2019
(iv)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education for the year 2021
(v)    Forty Third Annual Report of the University Grants Commission for the year 2021
(vi)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Printing for the year 2015
(vii)    Annual Report of the Wijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital for the year 2020
(viii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation for the year 2021
(ix)    Annual Report of the Paddy Marketing Board for the year 2019
(x)    Annual Report of the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute for the year 2021
(xi)    Annual Report of the National Crafts Council for the year 2021
(xii)    Performance Report of the Rubber Development Department for the year 2021
(xiii)    Performance Report of the Food Commissioner’s Department for the year 2021

(xiv) 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 Finance Commission in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament.
(xv)    Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 20 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 amended by Acts, No. 48 of 1985 and No. 28 of 1987 read with Sections 4(1) and 14 of the aforesaid Act and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2315/46 of 19th January 2023
(xvi)    Proclamation made and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2319/80 of 17th February 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
(xvii)    Regulations made by the Minister of Transport and Highways under Section 237 of the   Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203) read with Sections 8, 10, 14, 15, 18, 19A, 30, 37, 42, 139C, 139H, 195 and 231 of the aforesaid Act and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2306/02 of 14th November 2022
(xviii)    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 Justice, Department of Court Administration, Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Department of Debt Conciliation Board, Government Analyst’s Department, Legal Draftsman’s Department, Attorney General’s Department, Law Commission of Sri Lanka, Department of Prisons and Department of Community based Corrections in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(xix)    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 Environment in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport and Highways was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Bandula Gunawardana, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Plantation Industries was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Ramesh Pathirana, the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Industries was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Ramesh Pathirana, the Chair of the Committee.


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

Committee of Selection

That in terms of the motion agreed to by Parliament on 09th February 2023 and in addition to the Members approved by Parliament, the following Five (05) Members do also serve in the Committee of Selection during the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament:—

Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Attorney at Law
Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka
Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney at Law
Hon. Vijitha Herath
Hon. Selvam Adaikkalanathan


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 5 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-
(i)    Four Regulations under the Sri Lanka Tea Board Law
(ii)    Regulations under the Companies Act


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1016 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 22nd February 2023.

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