PARLIAMENT

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


Official Oath or Affirmation by New Members

The Hon. S. C. Muthukumarana 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. Uddika Premarathne.


Messages from the President

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


Announcements by the Speaker

B : Baseless statements by Members of Parliament damaging the reputation and professional dignity of public officials
C : Members to serve in the Select Committee of Parliament to carry out an in-depth investigation into the issues that have arisen related to the Nilwala river and other water bodies in Matara District and to make recommendations for the development of a set of new reconstruction proposals
D : Meeting for constitution of a Caucus on Climate Parliament of Sri Lanka
E : Discussion with Central Bank officials


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd for the year 2020/2021
(ii)    Annual Report and Financial Statements of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University for the year 2022
(iii)    Annual Report and Accounts of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Report of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(v)    Annual Report of the Independent Television Network Limited for the year 2022
(vi)    Annual Report of the Colombo Commercial Fertilizers Limited for the year 2020/2021
(vii)    Annual Report of the National Enterprise Development Authority for the year 2019
(viii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority for the year 2021
(ix)    Annual Report of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited for the year 2022
(x)    Annual Report of the Kurunegala Plantations Limited for the year 2020
(xi)    Annual Report of the Chilaw Plantations Limited for the year 2021

(xii) Regulations made by the Minister of Technology under Section 24(2) read with Section 8(2) of the Electronic Transactions Act, No. 19 of 2006 read with Article 44(3) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2311/40 of 22nd December 2022
(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 Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(xiv)    Proclamation made and Published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2373/59 of 03rd March 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
(xv)    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 Parliament of Sri Lanka in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(xvi)    Order made by the Minister of Education under Section 27(1) read with Sections 21 and  139 of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978 on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission with regard to the establishment of a Department of Economics and Statistics of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2326/11 of 03rd April 2023
(xvii)    Regulations made by the Minister of Tourism and Lands under Section 67 of the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998 relating to Registrations of Title and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2308/27 of 01st December 2022
(xviii)    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 Institutions under the Ministry of Industries in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts 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.


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

(i)    The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Issues regarding SME sector

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

Selling of government institutions (Telecom, etc.)


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament moved the following Bills entitled-
(i)    Penal Code (Amendment) - to amend the Penal Code (Chapter 19).
(ii)    Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) - to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979.


Private Members’ Bills

The Hon. Madhura Withanage, Attorney at Law was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Buddha Shrawaka Caring Centre (Incorporation)”

Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 10 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House. Item Nos. 1 to 7 were debated and adjourned for tomorrow. Item Nos. 8 to 10 were approved.:-

(i) Secured Transactions Bill - Second Reading
(ii)    Trust Receipts (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
(iii)    Mortgage (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
(iv)    Finance Leasing (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
(v)    Inland Trust Receipts (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
(vi)    Companies (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
(vii)    Registration of Documents (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
(viii)    Annual Report of the CeyNor Foundation Limited (2018)
(ix)    Annual Report of the Ceylon Fishery Harbour Corporation - (CFHC)(2019)
(x)    Annual Report of the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (2020)


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Grant permission to register motor cycle with engine capacity 450CC to 1300CC” was proposed by the Hon. Rohitha Abegunawardhana.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1702 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Wednesday 6th March 2024.

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