PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Endorsement of the certificate on a Bill under Article 79 of the Constitution   
B : Receipt of the copies of petitions filed at the Supreme Court


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Postgraduate Institute of Management of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura for the year 2021
(ii)    Performance Report of the Department of Posts for the year 2022.
(iii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Mass Media for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel for the year 2020
(v)    Annual Reports of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health for the years 2020 and 2021
(vi)    Performance Report of the Sri Lanka Police for the year 2022
(vii)    Annual Report of the Lanka Sathosa Limited for the year 2020
(viii)    Performance Report and Annual Accounts of the Measurement Units, Standards and Services Department for the year 2021

(ix) Mid — Year Fiscal Position Report for the year 2023
(x)    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), 6 and 14 of the aforesaid Act and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/45 of 14th June 2023
(xi)    Rules made by the incorporated Council of Legal Education with the concurrence of the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms under Section 7 of the Incorporated Council of Legal Education Ordinance (Chapter 276) and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2332/02 of 15th May 2023


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs was presented by the Hon. Vidura Wickramanayaka, 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.
(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. Piyal Nishantha De Silva                    
(ii)    The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka                    
(iii)    The Hon. Nimal Lanza                    
(iv)    The Hon. (Dr.) Gayashan Nawananda                    
(v)    The Hon. Nimal Piyathissa
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Health sector issues

Hon. Minister of Health replied to the above Question.


Questions of Privilege

Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya

Hon. S.M. Marikkar’s remarks about her stand on Domestic Debt Optimization Resolution


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament moved the Bill entitled

“Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution”

to provide for the uniform application of the law relating to the contempt of a court, tribunal or institution; to provide for the procedure in punishing the contempt of a court, tribunal or institution; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.


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

(i) 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 resolutions adopted by Parliament on 12th May 2023 and 09th June 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 Three (23) Members of Parliament to be appointed by the Speaker

(ii) 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 resolutions adopted by Parliament on 19th January 2023 and 20th June 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 Seventeen (17) Members of Parliament to be appointed by the Speaker


Private Members’ Bills

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

“Special Commodity Levy (Amendment)”

Main Business of the House for Today

Following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 3 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-

(i)    Resolution under the Customs Ordinance
(ii)    Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act
(iii)    Motion to appoint the Select Committee of Parliament to investigate into the matters relating to the Election Commission in respect of the incidents of infringement of privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make suitable recommendations in that regard


Adjournment Motion

Adjournment Motion on “Difficulties Faced by the Palestinian People at Present” was proposed by the Hon. Imthiaz Bakeer Markar.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1710 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 19th July 2023.

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