PARLIAMENT

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


Messages from the President

A : Order under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40)


Announcements by the Speaker

B : Determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill entitled “Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment)”  
C : Determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill entitled “Pradeshiya Sabha (Amendment), “Urban Councils (Amendment)” and “Municipal Councils (Amendment)”
D : Receipt of copies of petitions filed at the Supreme Court    
E : Members to serve in 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
F : Question of privilege raised by the Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, MP  
G : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

(i)    First Installment – Parts IV, V and VII and Sixth Installment – Part I 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
(ii)    
•    Eighth Installment – Part I of the Performance and Environmental Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Evaluation of the Role of the Government Institutions on Production and Promotion of Export Agricultural Crops; and
•    Eighth Installment – Part II of the Performance and Environmental Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Auditing Implementation of Sustainable Developments Goals of Strong and Resilient National Public Health System (Related to SDG 3 (d) ) in Sri Lanka
in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Reports of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution for the years 2018 and 2019
(ii)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Meteorology for the year 2022
(iii)    Annual Performance Report and Accounts of the Department of Pensions for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Performance Report the Ministry of Transport and Highways for the year 2022
(v)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Animal Production and Health for the year 2022
(vi)    Annual Report of the National Design Centre for the year 2020
(vii)    Performance Report of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs for the year 2022
(viii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for the year 2022
(ix)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Irrigation for the year 2022

(x) Order made by the Minister of Investment Promotion under Section 14 of the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, No. 40 of 1979 regarding CESS levy and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/71 of 16th June 2023
(xi)    Note on Supplementary Allocations from the Supplementary Support Services and Contingent Liabilities Project appearing under Expenditure Head No. 240 of the Department of National Budget for the period from 01.06.2023 to 30.06.2023 under Section 6(1) of the Appropriation Act, No. 43 of 2022
(xii)    Regulations made by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional  Reforms under Section 27 read with Section 4(2) of the Mediation (Special Categories of Disputes) Act, No. 21 of 2003 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2314/80 of 14th January 2023
(xiii)    Order made by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional  Reforms under Section 29A(2) of the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2328/16 of 21st April 2023


Presentation of Reports under Standing Order No. 52(6) of the Parliament

The Report under Standing Order 52(6) of the Parliament on the Bill entitled “Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers of Sri Lanka (Incorporation)” was presented by the Hon. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation.


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Just and Law-Abiding Society was presented by the Hon. W. D. J. Seneviratne, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations was presented by the Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, the Chair of the Committee.
(iv)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development was presented by the Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya                    
(ii)    The Hon. Vasudeva Nanayakkara                    
(iii)    The Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma                    
(iv)    The Hon. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka                    
(v)    The Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha
(vi)    The Hon. Premalal Jayasekara
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

(i)    The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Payment scheme of ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefit

(ii) The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

Water issues in Udawalawa agricultural zone

Hon. Minister of Irrigation replied to the above Question.


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament moved the following Bills entitled-
(i)    Inland Revenue (Amendment) - to amend the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017.
(ii)    Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) - to amend the Social Security Contribution Levy Act, No. 25 of 2022.
(iii)    National Eye Bank Trust of Sri Lanka - to provide for the establishment of a Trust called the National Eye Bank Trust of Sri Lanka; to provide corneal tissues, artificial devices and other tissues required for ophthalmic surgery and for scientific and technical research and education; to share excess corneal tissues and other tissues required for ophthalmic surgery with other countries and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(iv)    Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) - to amend the Civil Procedure Code (Chapter 101).
(v)    Elections (Special Provisions) - to provide for the extention of the time period for presentation of an Election petition and increase of fines; and to amend the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance (Chapter 262), the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, the Presidential Elections Act, No. 15 of 1981 and the Provincial Councils Elections Act, No. 2 of 1988 and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidential thereto.
(vi)    Conferring the Honour of Senior Instructing Attorneys-at-Law - to provide for the Conferment of the Honour of Senior Instructing Attorneys-at-Law with a view to recognizing and appreciating the service rendered by Attorneys-at-Law practicing as Instructing Attorneys who have demonstrated eminence and high standards in the legal profession; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto


Adjournment Motion

Adjournment Motion on “Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report – 2023” was proposed by the Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1657 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 9th August 2023.

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