PARLIAMENT

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


Official Oath or Affirmation by New Members

The Hon. L. K. Jagath Priyankara was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before the Hon. Speaker to fill the vacancy caused by reason of the death of the Hon. Sanath Nishantha.


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Endorsement of the certificate on Bills under Article 79 of the Constitution
B : Receipt of copies of petitions in respect of the Bill titled “Anti-Terrorism” filed at the Supreme Court
C : Members to serve in the Panel of Chairs for the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament
D : Death of the Hon. Sanath Nishantha, M.P.
E : Appointment of new Serjeant-at-Arms of the Parliament


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Reports of the Lanka Sugar Company (Private) Limited for the years 2018 and 2019
(ii)    Annual Report of the Construction Industry Development Authority for the year 2021.
(iii)    Annual Report of the Condominium Management Authority for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Report of the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau for the year 2022.
(v)    Annual Report of the Central Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd for the year 2022.
(vi)    Annual Report of the Engineering Council, Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(vii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency for the year 2022
(viii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board for the year 2020

(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 Office of the Cabinet of Ministers in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament.
(x)    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 Environment in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament.
(xi)    Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under Section 20 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 amended by Acts, No. 48 of 1985 and No. 28 of 1987 read with Sections 4(1) and 14 of the aforesaid Act and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2366/19 of 11th January 2024.
(xii)    Proclamation made and Published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2369/58 of 03st February 2024 and Schedule thereto, by virtue of the powers vested with the president in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979
(xiii)    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 Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(xiv)    Regulations made by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms under Section 80 read with Section 77A(6) of the Poison, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 218) and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2360/21 of 27th November 2023
(xv)    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 Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd of the Ministry of Power and Energy in the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises which was presented to Parliament


Questions of Privilege

Hon. Jayantha Weerasinghe, PC

Lankadeepa article regarding online safety Bill


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

(i) Committee of Selection

That in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 114 of the Parliament, the Committee of Selection shall consist of the Speaker as the Chair and twelve (12) Members which shall include the Leaders of Political Parties or their nominees to be nominated by Parliament to serve during the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament.

(ii) Committee of Selection

That in terms of the motion agreed to by Parliament this day, the undermentioned Members do serve in the Committee of Selection during the Fifth Session of the Ninth  Parliament:—

Hon. (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha, Attorney at Law    
Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga
Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Attorney at Law     
Hon. Douglas Devananda  
Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Attorney at Law
Hon. Johnston Fernando
Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka
Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney at Law
Hon. Gamini Lokuge     
Hon. Vijitha Herath
Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan
Hon. Sagara Kariyawasam, Attorney at Law


Adjournment Motion

Adjournment Motion on “Statement of Government Policy made by the Honorable President on 07th February 2024 in terms of Articles 32(4) and 33(a) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka” was proposed by the Hon. Madhura Withanage, Attorney at Law.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Friday 9th February 2024.

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