PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A: Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Presentation of Papers

Annual Report of the Ranaviru Seva Authority for the year 2022


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Accounts for the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Two Reports of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Just and Law-Abiding Society was presented by the Hon. W. D. J. Seneviratne, Attorney at Law, the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The Three Reports of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans was presented by the Hon. Sudath Manjula, member of the Committee on behalf of 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.
(v)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Increasing Export of Goods and Services was presented by the Hon. Buddhika Pathirana, the Chair of the Committee.
(vi)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment and Labour was presented by the Hon. Hector Appuhamy, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

The Hon. Imran Maharoof         
(Petition stands referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

Issues faced by Technical stream students of Wayamba University

Hon. Minister of Education replied to the above Question.


Ministerial Statements

Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 11.12.2023 regarding Audit report on organic fertilizer importation.


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

Select Committee of Parliament to look into whether the child malnutrition issue in Sri Lanka is aggravating and to identify short term, medium term and long term measures to be taken in that regard, as well as to oversee the speedy implementation of the identified measures

That the time period granted to the  Select Committee of Parliament to look into whether the child malnutrition issue in Sri Lanka is aggravating and to identify short term, medium term and long term measures to be taken in that regard, as well as to oversee the speedy implementation of the identified measures, as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 05th October 2023 be extended up to 05th March 2024 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament.


Private Members’ Bills

The Hon. (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Pragnabandu Scholarship Trust Fund (Incorporation)”

Main Business of the House for Today

(i)    Appropriation Bill (2024) - Committee

Appropriation Bill – Twenty Fifth Allotted Day - Committee Stage Debate

(ii) Annual Report of the Sugarcane Research Institute (2019) (appearing as Item No. 2 of today’s Order Paper)

was approved


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Special entrance exam for LLB holders from foreign universities” was proposed by the Hon. Velu Kumar.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1838 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 13th December 2023.


[Budget 2024]

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