PARLIAMENT

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


Messages from the President

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


Announcements by the Speaker

B : Regional Tsunami Simulation Exercise


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Reports of the Welfare Benefits Board for the years 2020 and 2021
(ii)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Debt Conciliation Board for the year 2022

(iii) Order made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 2(1) of the Finance Act, No. 25 of 2003 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2329/19 of 25th April 2023
(iv)    Order made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 2(1) of the Finance Act, No. 25 of 2003 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2342/24 of 25th July 2023
(v)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 51 read with Section 19 of the Finance Act, No. 35 of 2018 relating to Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2334/24 of 31st May 2023
(vi)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 51 read with Section 19 of the Finance Act, No. 35 of 2018 relating to Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2340/42 of 13th July 2023
(vii)    Order made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989 relating to Excise duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2334/23 of 31st May 2023
(viii)    Order made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989 relating to Excise duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/69 of 16th June 2023
(ix)    Order made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989 relating to Excise duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2338/58 of 30th June 2023
(x)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Sections 2, 12, 22 and 25 read with Section 32 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) regarding Amendment of Regulations on Non Potable Spirits Imported into Sri Lanka and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/70 of 16th June 2023
    (Excise Notification No. 01/2023)
(xi)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) as amended from time to time, regarding Excise Duty on Liquor and published in the Gazette Extraordinary  No. 2338/57 of 30th June 2023
    (Excise Notification No. 02/2023)
(xii)    Order made by the Acting Minister of Investment Promotion with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 14(2) of the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, No. 40 of 1979 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2341/63 of 21st July 2023
(xiii)    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) and 14 of the aforesaid Act and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2347/08 of 29th August 2023


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    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. Lalith Ellawala                    
(ii)    The Hon. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

IMF extended fund facility, tax policies etc.


Questions of Privilege

Hon. Imthiaz Bakeer Markar

Breach of Parliamentary Privileges of him


Presentation of Bills

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

“Galaha Bhaddrawathie National Bhikkhu Care Centre Trust”

to provide for the establishment of a trust called the Galaha Bhaddrawathie National Bhikkhu Care Centre Trust and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(ii) The Hon. Minister of Public Security moved the Bill entitled

“Online Safety”

to establish the Online Safety Commission; to make provisions to prohibit online communication of certain statements of fact in Sri Lanka; to prevent the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes; to make provisions to identify and declare online locations used for prohibited purposes in Sri Lanka; to suppress the financing and other support of communication of false statements of fact and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.


Main Business of the House for Today

Following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 4 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-

(i)    Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill - with amendments
(ii)    Elections (Special Provisions) Bill
(iii)    Regulations under the Mediation (Special Categories of Disputes) Act
(iv)    Order under the Judicature Act


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment time on “Safeguard the future of children” was proposed by the Hon. (Mrs.) Manjula Dissanayake.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1741 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 4th October 2023.

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