PARLIAMENT

The Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, the Deputy Speaker and the Chair of the Committee took the Chair.


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Member to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security 


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the HDFC Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2020
(ii)    Performance Report of the Excise Department of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(iii)    Performance Report of the Ministry of Investment Promotion for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Census and Statistics for the year 2022
(v)    Performance Report of the District Secretariat-Hambantota for the year 2022
(vi)    Annual Report  and Accounts of the University of Kelaniya for the year 2021
(vii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing for the year 2022
(viii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Fisheries for the year 2022
(ix)    Annual Reports of the National Council for Road Safety for the years 2018 and 2019
(x)    Annual Performance Report and Accounts of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands for the year 2022
(xi)    Annual Reports of the Lanka Sugar Company (Private) Limited for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017
(xii)    Annual Report of the Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Limited for the year 2019/2020
(xiii)    Annual Report of the Lanka Phosphate Ltd for the year 2021/2022
(xiv)    Performance Report of the Department for Registrations of Persons for the year 2022


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Sports and Youth Affairs was presented by the Hon. D. Weerasingha, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekara, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara                    
(ii)    The Hon. Isuru Dodangoda
(iii)    The Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi                   
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


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

Select Committee of Parliament to investigate into and to make suitable recommendations relating to the disasters caused by new Diamond and X-press Pearl Vessels in the Maritime Zone of Sri Lanka

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 101 of the Parliament and the resolution adopted by Parliament on 12th May 2023, the Select Committee of Parliament to investigate into and to make suitable recommendations relating to the disasters caused by new Diamond and X-press Pearl Vessels in the Maritime Zone of Sri Lanka shall consist of Twenty (20) Members of Parliament to be appointed by the Speaker


Private Members’ Bills

The Hon. Eran Wickramaratne was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Value Added Tax (Amendment)”

Main Business of the House for Today

The following Motions (appearing as Item No. 1 to 4 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House and Passed:-

•    Establishing all public institutions in Government owned buildings

That this Parliament resolves that action be taken by the Government to establish all public institutions in Government owned buildings only whereas a massive amount is unnecessarily spent as a result of establishing the public institutions maintained using tax monies of the public in private buildings whereas a huge amount can be saved by establishing such institutions in Government owned buildings.

•    Controlling the Toque Macaque population that damages crops

That this Parliament resolves that a suitable programme that can scientifically control the Toque Macaque population be implemented by the government whereas massive damage is caused to the agricultural crops of Sri Lanka by wild animals, and whereas according to the reports of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, the annual damage caused to crops by wild animals is nearly 40% which amounts to over 1800 Crores, and whereas the farmer community and the national economy of the country are directly affected owing to the fact that crop damage by Toque Macaque is gradually increasing, and whereas killing Toque Macaques as a solution to this problem cannot be approved as Sri Lanka is a country that upholds a Buddhist and non-violent culture.

•    Empowerment of small and medium scale rice mill owners

That this Parliament resolves that an accelerated  programme be setup by the government immediately, in order to solve the host of issues that the small and medium scale rice millers who are capable of controlling the price of rice in Sri Lanka, are encountered with.

•    Promoting a programme related to children’s health education at the school level

That this Parliament resolves that a programme on children’s health education be setup and implemented by the Government jointly with the health authorities that could make aware that physical health and wellness can be increased through the consumption of nutritious food as various institutions have shown that children in Sri Lanka are suffering from severe illnesses and shortened lifespan due to the consumption of toxic food.


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Uddika Premarathne
(ii)    The Hon. (Mrs.) Rajika Wickramasinghe


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1508 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 20th June 2023.

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