PARLIAMENT

The Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, the Deputy Speaker and the Chair of the Committee took the Chair.


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Receipt of a copy of a petition in respect of the Bill titled “Penal Code (Amendment)” filed at the Supreme Court
B : Members to serve in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government
C : Members to serve in the Committee on Public Accounts
D : Members to serve in the Committee on Public Enterprises
E : Members to serve in the Committee on Public Finance
F : Members to serve in the Committee on Ways and Means
G : A Seminar on “Challenges faced by Members of Parliament and its legal background in the use of mass media” for Members of Parliament


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission for the year 2021
(ii)    Annual Report of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for the year 2022
(iii)    Annual Report of the Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited for the year 2022

(iv) 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 Defence and the Institutions coming under its purview in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(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 Department of Government Factory in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(vi)    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 Ceylon Fisheries Corporation of the Ministry of Fisheries in the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises which was presented to Parliament
(vii)    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 Foreign Affairs in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(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 Central Cultural Fund of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs 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 Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs 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. W. D. J. Seneviratne, Attorney at Law, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    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. Prasanna Ranatunga         -     Two Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. S. B. Dissanayake                    
(iii)    The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera                    
(iv)    The Hon. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka                    
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

(i)    The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Environmental impact of proposed wind power plant in Mannar

The Hon. Ministers replied to the above Question.

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

ETCA agreement with India

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


Ministerial Statements

(i)    Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 20.02.2024 in respect of issues regarding social security schemes.
(ii)    Hon. Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies replied to the Questions raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 05.03.2024 in respect of issues regarding SME sector.


Main Business of the House for Today

Vote of No Confidence against Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the Speaker (appearing as Item No. 1 of today’s Order Paper)

was debated and adjourned for tomorrow.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 21st March 2024.

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