PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Letter of Resignation from the Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri, MP


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

Rules made by the Constitutional Council under paragraph (3) of Article 41G of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka read with Articles 41B, 41C, 41D and 41 E of the Constitution and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2364/40 of 31st December 2023


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka for the year 2021.
(ii)    Annual Report and Accounts of the Local Loans and Development Fund for the year 2022
(iii)    Annual Reports of the National Institute of Education for the years 2019 and 2020.
(iv)    Forty Fourth Annual Report of the University Grants Commission for the year 2022
(v)    Annual Report of the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital and Postgraduate Medical Training Center for the year 2021.
(vi)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Textile Industry for the year 2022
(vii)    Annual Report of the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute for the year 2022

(viii) Report on the Submission of observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 120(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies in the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises which was presented to Parliament
(ix)    Report on the submission of observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Just and Law-Abiding Society was presented by the Hon. K. P. S. Kumarasiri, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Two Reports of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open & Accountable Government was presented by the Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport was presented by the Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka                    
(ii)    The Hon. Jayantha Samaraweera                    
(iii)    The Hon. Asanka Navarathna
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions to the Prime Minister

Four Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda
(ii)    The Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi
(iii)    The Hon. S. M. Marikkar
(iv)    The Hon. Charles Nirmalanathan


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

(i)    The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Supreme Court Determination on economic crisis

The Hon. Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms replied to the above Question.

(ii) The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

Issues faced by Medical faculties of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, University of Colombo and Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

The Hon. State Minister of Higher Education replied to the above Question.

(iii) The Hon. (Ven.) Athuraliye Rathana Thero

New Casino licenses

The Hon. State Minister of Finance replied to the above Question.


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms moved the Bill entitled

“Anti Terrorism”

to make provision for the protection of the National Security of  Sri Lanka and the people of Sri Lanka from acts of terrorism, other offences associated with terrorism and certain specified acts constituting the offence of terrorism committed within or outside Sri Lanka; for the prevention of the use of Sri Lankan territory and its people for the preparation for terrorism outside Sri Lanka; to provide for the detection, identification, apprehension, arrest, detention, investigation, prosecution and punishment of any person who has committed an act of terrorism or any other offence associated with terrorism; for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.


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

Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard, as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 08 June 2023 be extended up to 27 April 2024 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament.


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 7 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-

(i) Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Bill - with amendments
(ii)    The Recognition and Enforcement of International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation Bill
(iii)    Mediation Board (Amendment) Bill
(iv)    Powers of Attorney (Amendment) Bill
(v)    Notaries (Amendment) Bill - with amendments
(vi)    Prevention of Frauds (Amendment) Bill - with amendments
(vii)    Resolution under the Essential Public Services Act


Questions at the Adjournment Time

One Question was asked by the following Member of Parliament:-

The Hon. (Mrs.) Rajika Wickramasinghe


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 11th January 2024.

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