PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Member to serve in the Backbencher Committee


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

•    Fourth Installment – Part XXV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2020;
•    Fourth Installment – Part XXIV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2021; and
•    First Installment – Parts I, II and III of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2022

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


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd for the year 2019/2020
(ii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance for the year 2019
(iii)    Performance Report of the Presidential Secretarial for the year 2022
(iv)    Performance Report of the Department of National Budget for the year 2022
(v)    Performance Report of the Department of Fiscal Policy for the year 2022
(vi)    Annual Performance Report of the Inland Revenue Department for the year 2022
(vii)    Final Budget Position Report – 2002 in terms of Section 13 of the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act, No. 3 of 2003
(viii)    Annual Report of the Institute for Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences of University of Colombo for the year 2021
(ix)    Performance Report of the Department of Ayurveda for the year 2021
(x)    Annual Report of the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka for the year 2021
(xi)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau for the year 2020
(xii)    Annual Reports of the National Paper Company Limited for the years 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015
(xiii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Industries for the year 2022
(xiv)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment for the year 2021

(xv) Proclamation made and Published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/78 of 17th June 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


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Second Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committees for the First Session of the Ninth Parliament was presented by the Hon. Ajith Rajapaksa, the Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees.
(ii)    The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment and Labour was presented by the Hon. Hector Appuhamy, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva, Attorney at Law                    
(ii)    The Hon. Udayana Kirindigoda           -     Two Petitions
(iii)    The Hon. Yadamini Gunawardena                    
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Fertilizer issues and paddy price drop


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

(i) Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate Causes for Financial Bankruptcy declared by the Government and to Report to Parliament and Submit its Proposals and Recommendations in this regard

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 101 of the Parliament and the Resolution adopted by Parliament on 19th January 2023, the Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate Causes for Financial Bankruptcy declared by the Government and to Report to Parliament and Submit its Proposals and Recommendations in this regard shall consist of Fifteen (15) Members of Parliament to be appointed by the Speaker

(ii) Select Committee of Parliament to make suitable recommendations over the expansion of higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to make suitable recommendations for the expansion of higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka as specified in the Resolution adopted by Parliament on 04th April 2023 be extended up to 21st July 2023 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament


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 and Item No. 2 referred to the Legislative Standing Committee.:-

(i) Parliamentary Budget Office Bill - with amendments
(ii)    Balapitiya Sri Rahularama Purana Viharastha Samanera Akalpa Sangwardena Bikshu Vidyalaya (Incorporation) Bill - Second Reading


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment time on “Enhancement of religious education in schools” was proposed by the Hon. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1653 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 21st June 2023.

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