PARLIAMENT

Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament on behalf of the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs moved the following Bills :-

1. Employees’ Pension Benefits Fund

to establish an Employees’ Pension Benefits Fund to provide pension benefits to certain employees who become eligible to such pension in terms of this Act: and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

2. Overseas Employees Pension Benefits Fund

to establish an Overseas Employees Pension Benefits Fund to provide pension benefits to certain employees’ who become eligible to such pension in terms of this act; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

3. Pensions (Consequential Provisions)

to make provision for certain consequential matters arising out of the enactment of the Employees Pension Benefits Fund Act and the Overseas Employees Pension Benefits Fund Act, pursuant to a budget proposal in the 2011 Budget; and to provide for matters connected therewith of incidental thereto.

4. Finance Business

to provide for the regulation of Finance Business and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

5. Pradeshiya Sanwardana Bank (Amendment)

to amend the Pradeshiya Sanwardana Bank Act, No. 41 of 2008.


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Motions (appearing as Item No. 1 to 5 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House. Motions 1 and 2 were Negatived and 3, 4 and 5 were Passed:-

1. Holding of Cabinet Portfolios by the President and the Prime Minister is not appropriate

That this Parliament resolves that holding of Cabinet Portfolios by the President and the Prime Minister is not appropriate in order to have a very effective administration and to critically review performance of the Ministers.

2. Granting Permission to Journalists to attend all Meetings held under Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Consultative Committees

That this Parliament resolves that journalists must be permitted to attend all meetings held under the Committee on Public Enterprises, Public Accounts Committee and Consultative Committees as this will make the discussions more effective, meaningful and transparent.

3. Establishment of Industrial Estates in the Puttalam District

That this Parliament resolves that Industrial Estates be established at suitable locations in the Puttalam District with a view to boosting up industries in the District and to provide employment opportunities to the youth.

4. Establishment of a Museum in the Kegalle District

That this Parliament resolves that steps be taken to establish a museum for archeological monuments and for the purpose of obtaining information regarding places which have archaeological, cultural and social values.

5. Implementing a practical programme to address the housing issues of the owners of houses lacking in facilities living in Sri Lanka

That this Parliament resolves that a practical programme be formulated for addressing the peoples’ housing issues by constructing flats and cluster flats Schemes in Colombo and other cities in its neighbourhood under the vision of Mahinda Chinthana for ensuring the right of each and every family living in Sri Lanka to live in a house that consists of their basic requirements, drinking water, electricity, toilet facilities and a kitchen.


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Abolition of Press Council of Sri Lanka” was moved by the Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekera.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1814 Hrs. until 1300 Hrs. on Wednesday 27th April 2011.

 

 

 

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