PARLIAMENT

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


Messages from the President

A : Order under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40)


Announcements by the Speaker

B : Receipt of copies of petitions in respect of the Bill titled “Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority” filed at the Supreme Court    
C : Receipt of copies of petitions in respect of the Bill titled “Anti-Terrorism” filed at the Supreme Court     
D : Endorsement of the certificate on Bills under Article 79 of the Constitution


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(ii)    Annual Report of the National Crafts Council for the year 2022

(iii) Regulations made by the Minister of Transport and Highways under Section 237 read with Part VII of the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203) and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2338/39 of 28th June 2023
(iv)    Regulations made by the Minister of Transport and Highways under Section 237 read with Sections 21, 22, 23, 24 and 24A of the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203) and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2352/29 of 05th October 2023
(v)    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 State Ministry of Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Second Report of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament was presented by the Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The First Report of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services for the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament was presented by the Hon. Gamini Lokuge, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Wajira Abeywardana    -   Two Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. Jayarathna Herath                    
(iii)    The Hon. Buddhika Pathirana      -   Two Petitions
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Special audit reports regarding Light-rail transit project, importation of fertilizer, tax on sugar and purchasing coal & gas

The Hon. Ministers replied to the above Question.


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament was granted leave to withdraw the following Bill

“Partition (Amendment)”

to amend the Partition Law No. 21 of 1977.


Privilege

The Privilege motion that the question of privilege arising out of the matter raised by the Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, M.P. on 07th November, 2023 in Parliament to the effect that his privileges have been infringed, moved by the Hon. Chief Opposition Whip, was referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 118 of the Parliament.


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 5 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.

(i) Online Safety Bill - with amendments - Division was taken at the Second Reading (108 in favour; 62 against)
(ii)    Regulations under the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Law
(iii)    Order under the Special Commodity Levy Act
(iv)    Order under the Foreign Exchange  Act
(v)    Select Committee of Parliament to carry out an in-depth investigation into the issues that have arisen related to the Nilwala river and other waterbodies in the Matara District and to make recommendations for the development of a set of new reconstruction proposals


Announcement was made by the Speaker on the retirement of the Serjeant-at-Arms and appreciation of his service by the Parliament.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1941 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 6th February 2024.

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