PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Joint Annual General Meeting


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

•    Second Installment – Part LIV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2020;
•    Second Installment – Part XLVII of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2021;  and  
•    Second Installment – Part XXXV 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


Presentation of Papers

(i) Annual Report of the Lady Lochore Loan Fund for the year 2020
(ii)    Annual Report of the National Transport Medical Institute for the year 2022
(iii)    Performance Report of the Sri Lanka Railway Department for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Report of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited for the year 2021


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

(i)    The Report under Standing Order 52(6) of the Parliament on the Bill entitled “Saweera Foundation (Incorporation)” was presented by the Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs.
(ii)    The Report under Standing Order 52(6) of the Parliament on the Bill entitled “Pavithra Wanniarachchi Sahurda Foundation (Incorporation)” was presented by the Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report and the Minutes of the Legislative Standing Committee on “Sri Lanka Baptist Sangamaya (Incorporation) (Amendment) Bill” was presented by the Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, the Deputy Speaker, 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.
(iii)    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.
(iv)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open & Accountable Government was presented by the Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, the Chair of the Committee.
(v)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy & Transport was presented by the Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, the Chair of the Committee.
(vi)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Religious Affairs and Co-Existence was presented by the Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. D.B. Herath                    
(ii)    The Hon. Sampath Athukorala
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Issues faced by Tri forces and civil security forces

Hon. Minister of Public Security replied to the above Question.


Questions of Privilege

Hon. Roshan Ranasinghe

False news articles regarding him


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

Ministerial Consultative Committees

That in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 112(1) of Parliament and the decision taken on the 12th of December, 2023 by the Committee of Selection, Ministerial Consultative Committee on State Plantation Enterprises Reforms be appointed to be designated in addition to the twenty eight (28) Ministerial Consultative Committees approved by the Parliament on the 17th of November 2023.
 
Above Ministerial Consultative Committee shall consists of the Non-Cabinet  Minister in charge of the relevant subject as the Chair, State Minister, Deputy Minister and five (5) other members of Parliament to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to discuss and report upon such matters as are referred to it.

The quorum of above Ministerial Consultative Committee shall be three (3) Members.


Private Members’ Bills

The Hon. Gamini Lokuge was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Daham Sewane Singiththo Lama Sanwardana Padanama (Incorporation)”

Main Business of the House for Today

(i)    Appropriation Bill (2024) - Committee

Appropriation Bill – Twenty Sixth Allotted Day - Committee Stage Debate

The Appropriation Bill (2024) (Budget) was passed with amendments by the House, with a majority of 41 votes (122 in favour; 81 against; 01 abstain).


The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 2 to 10 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House and Item No. 10 was referred to the Legislative Standing Committee.:-
(ii)    Resolution under the Customs Ordinance
(iii)    Five Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act
(iv)    Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act
(v)    Determination of the remunerations of the Chairman, the members and the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
(vi)    Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1901 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 9th January 2024.


[Budget 2024]

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