PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Receipt of copies of petitions filed at the Supreme Court 


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

A.    The Budget Estimate of the National Audit Office for the year 2024 prepared by the National Audit Office along with the observations of the Minister assigned the subject of Finance in terms of Section 34 of the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018

B.    
(i)    The First Installment – Parts XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX and XX, Fourth Installment – Parts III, IV, V and VI, Fifth Installment – Parts IV and V and Sixth Installment – Parts III, IV and V 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)    the Tenth Installment – Part III of the Special Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Fraudulent Entry of Chassis Numbers and Engine Numbers of Illegally Imported or Assembled Vehicles into the Motor vehicle Registration Data System and Issuance of False Motor vehicle Registration Certificates - 2022 in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. Madhura Withanage, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

The Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne

(Petition stands referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Salinity Barrier across the Nilwala River at Matara and flood situation


Ministerial Statements

(i) Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa, under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 23.08.2023 regarding current issues in health sector.

(ii)    Hon. Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies and Hon. Kanchana Wijesekera, Minister of Power and Energy replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa, under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 03.10.2023 regarding IMF extended fund facility, tax policies etc.


Main Business of the House for Today

Following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 and 3 to 9 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-

(i)    National Eye Bank Trust of Sri Lanka Bill - with amendments
(ii)    Two Resolutions under the Customs Ordinance
(iii)    Four Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act
(iv)    Determination under the Constitution


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka
(ii)    The Hon. Imran Maharoof


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 5th October 2023.

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