PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Member to serve in the Committee on Public Petitions
B : Question of privilege raised by the Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, MP     
C : Meeting for constitution of a Parliamentary Caucus for Animal Welfare


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy for the year 2021
(ii)    Annual Reports of the Palmyrah Development Board for the years 2018 and 2019.
(iii)    Annual Report of the Industrial Development Board of Ceylon for the year 2020.
(iv)    Annual Report and Accounts of the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation for the year 2021
(v)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment for the year 2021

(vi) Reports 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 Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board, Department of Motor Traffic and Ministry of Transport in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(vii)    Reports 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 Ministry of Tourism and Department of National Botanic Gardens in the reports of the Committee on Public Accounts which were presented to Parliament
(viii)    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 Ministry of Industries in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(ix)    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 Ministry of Power and Energy in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(x)    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 Ministry of Water Supply 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 Health was presented by the Hon. Sisira Jayakody, Attorney at Law, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Tourism and Lands was presented by the Hon. Kapila Athukorala, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Duminda Dissanayake, a member of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Kumara Welgama        -  Two Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. Udayana Kirindigoda                    
(iii)    The Hon. M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep Withana                    
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Problems faced by Business and Industry sectors

Hon. State Minister of Primary Industries replied partially to the above Question.


Vote of Appreciation

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition of Parliament moved a Motion to appreciate the service of the retired Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Waruna Bandara Dhammika Dasanayake.


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)    Order under the Finance Act    
(ii)    Regulations under the Finance Act    
(iii)    Order under the Finance Act
(iv)    Orders under the Finance Act
(v)    Resolution under the Inland Revenue Act


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Lands and tanks in Mullaitivu and Vavuniya” was proposed by the Hon. Charles Nirmalanathan.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Friday 26th May 2023.

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