PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Member to serve in the Panel of Chairs
B : Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee
C : Members to serve in the Committee on Standing Orders
D : Members to serve in the House Committee
E : Members to serve in the Committee on Public Finance
F : Members to serve in the Committee on Banking and Financial Services
G : Members to serve in the Committee on Economic Stabilization
H : Members to serve in the Backbencher Committee
I : Members to serve in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government
J : Members to serve in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security
K : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka for the year 2022.
(ii)    Annual Report of the National Human Resources Development Council of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(iii)    Annual Report of the National Apprentice & Industrial Training Authority for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for the year 2021
(v)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Fund for the year 2021
(vi)    Performance Report of the Department of Ayurveda for the year 2022
(vii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation for the year 2021

(viii) Regulations made by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation under Section 117(2)(r) of the Civil Aviation Act, No. 14 of 2010 relating to the charges to be paid by aircraft flying over the Colombo Flight Information Region for the use of air navigation facilities and services provided by Sri Lanka and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2362/23 of 12th December 2023


Presentation of Reports under Standing Order No. 52(6) of the Parliament

The Report under Standing Order 52(6) of the Parliament on the Bill entitled “International Institute of Theravadha (Incorporation)” was presented by the Hon. Chief Government Whip.


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health was presented by the Hon. Sisira Jayakody, Attorney at Law, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender was presented by the Hon. (Mrs.) Muditha Prishanthi, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Vijitha Herath           -       Five Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera                    
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


House agreed to the following Motions moved by the Hon. Chief Government Whip-

(i) 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 12th January 2024 be extended up to 22nd June 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 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 12 January 2024 be extended up to 18 July 2024 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament, as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament.


Votes of Condolence

Votes of Condolence on the following Ex-Members of Parliament were taken up and completed:-
(i)    The Late Hon. R. M. Karunaratne
(ii)    The Late Hon. Bandula Basnayake
(iii)    The Late Hon. (Dr.) P. M. B. Cyril


Adjournment Motion

Adjournment Motion on “Issues faced by farmers in selling their paddy harvest and other related issues” was proposed by the Hon. R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1752 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Monday 1st April 2024.

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