PARLIAMENT

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


Official Oath or Affirmation by New Members

The Hon. Wasalathilaka Gedara Nayana Priyankara Wasalathilaka was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before the Hon. Speaker to fill the vacancy caused by reason of the resignation of the Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri.


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Co-opted Members to serve on Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Penal Code (Amendment) Bill”
B : Question of privilege raised by the Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, M.P.   
C : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

A.
(i)    First Installment – Parts XXXVIII and XXXIX and Fourth Installment – Parts XIX, XX and XXI 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)    Tenth Installment – Part V of the Special Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Installation of Safety Systems for Railway Level Crossing in Sri Lanka in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

B.
(i)    Second Installment – Parts XXXVII and XXXVIII, Third Installment – Part XVII and Ninth Installment – Parts XX and XXI 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)    Eighth Installment – Part V of the Audit Report of the Auditor-General on The Performance of Utilization of Bus Fleet of Sri Lanka Transport Board at Maximum Capacity in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report and Accounts of the Postgraduate Institute of Indigenous Medicine of the University of Colombo for the year 2022
(ii)    Annual Report of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board for the year 2022

(iii) Regulations made by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms with the concurrence of the Chief Justice under Section 61 read with Section 60 of the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2362/67 of 14th December 2023
(iv)    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 National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Youth Services (Pvt) Limited of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises which was presented to Parliament


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Buddhika Pathirana
(ii)    The Hon. Wimalaweera Dissanayake                    
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

Compensation and etc. for displaced families in the camps due to land slides

Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament replied to the above Question.


Ministerial Statements

Hon. (Dr.) Bandula Gunawardana, Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media made a Ministerial Statement regarding school children’s season ticket issues.


Questions of Privilege

Hon. Premalal Jayasekara

Alleged party in the dredging vessels at sea


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

(i) Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate Causes for Financial Bankruptcy declared by the Government and to Report to Parliament and Submit its Proposals and Recommendations in this regard

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate Causes for Financial Bankruptcy declared by the Government and to Report to Parliament and Submit its Proposals and Recommendations in this regard, as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 06 October 2023 be extended up to 18 April 2024 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament, as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament.

(ii) Select Committee of Parliament to study the practical problems and difficulties in relation to preparation for the proposed ‘Business Ready (B-READY) Index’ in Sri Lanka and make its proposals and recommendations

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to study the practical problems and difficulties in relation to preparation for the proposed ‘Business Ready (B-READY) Index’ in Sri Lanka and make its    proposals and recommendations as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 16 November 2023 be extended up to 22 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 Motions (appearing as Item No. 1 to 3 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House and Passed:-

•    Strict regulation of microfinance institutions and leasing companies

That this Parliament resolves that necessary action be taken by the Government to strictly regulate microfinance institutions and leasing companies as the urban and rural community is shattered by the actions of the microfinance institutions, and whereas a large number of families that obtained loans due to the inducement of such institutions on microfinance and leasing facilities are traumatized, and whereas the interest rates of those institutions are at different levels, and whereas people who fail to pay lease installments are subjected to various harassments and violations.

•    Educating the public on the nutritious value of traditional, local rice varieties

That this Parliament resolves that the Government should prepare and implement a national level programme to educate the public on the nutritious value of the traditional, local rice varieties available in the Sri Lankan market at present, of the new rice varieties consumed at present, and of the varieties of rice that should be consumed by people with various diseases, and also to provide facilities for farmers to cultivate those varieties of paddy.

•    Establishment of Tea small holding system in place of Tea Industry

That this Parliament resolves that, as Sri Lankan tea plantation is of  twofold like Tea estates and tea Small holdings, measures should be taken to transform  tea estates system to tea small holdings and make the estate workers the owners of such tea Small holdings in order  to develop the same since the estate tea plantations  system is  failing.


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Velu Kumar
(ii)    The Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1513 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 23th January 2024.

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