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 : Co-opted Members to serve on Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Saweera Foundation (Incorporation) Bill”
C : Co-opted Members to serve on Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Penal Code (Amendment) Bill”
D : Co-opted Members to serve on Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Kelaniya Buddhist Women’s Charitable Society (Incorporation) Bill”
E : Co-opted Members to serve on Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Samadhi Health Service, Environment, Agricultural, Cultural and Sport Centre (Incorporation) Bill”
F : Co-opted Members to serve on Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Samadhi Meditation and Yoga Centre (Incorporation) Bill”
G : Members to serve in the Committee on Ways and Means
H : Question of privilege raised by the Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, M.P.
I : Question of privilege raised by the Hon. Rohana Bandara, M.P.
J : Question of privilege raised by the Hon. Rohitha Abegunawardhana, M.P.
K : Question of privilege raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P.
L : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Performance Reports of the Judicial Service Commission Secretariat for the years 2020 and 2021
(ii)    Annual Report of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(iii)    Annual Report of the Disaster Management Centre for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Report of the University of Colombo for the year 2022
(v)    Annual Report of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine of the University of Colombo for the year 2022
(vi)    Annual Report and Accounts of the Postgraduate Institute of Science of the University of Peradeniya for the year 2022
(vii)    Annual Report of the Open University of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(viii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission for the year 2022
(ix)    Annual Report of the Selacine Television Institute for the year 2022
(x)    Annual Report of the Coconut Cultivation Board for the year 2021
(xi)    Annual Report and Statement of Accounts of the Office for Reparations for the year 2022
(xii)    Annual Report of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporations of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(xiii)    Annual Performance Report of the Hindu Cultural Fund for the year 2022
(xiv)    Annual Report of the Kalubowitiyana Tea Factory Limited for the year 2021/2022

(xv) 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. 2373/28 of 28th February 2024
(xvi)    Regulations made by the Minister of Public Security under Section 52 read with Sections 14 and 23 of the Immigrants and Emigrants Act, (Chapter 351) on 22nd March 2024


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs was presented by the Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Second Report of the Committee on Ways and Means for the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament was presented by the Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    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. Lakshman Kiriella, Attorney at Law                    
(ii)    The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka        -     Two Petitions
(iii)    The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara                    
(iv)    The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna                    
(v)    The Hon. Hesha Withanage                    
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Recommendations of committees appointed for Easter Sunday attack not implemented


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

(i) Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka, as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 21 March 2023 be extended up to 05 October 2024 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament, as the Committee needs further time to consider and report its observations of the Interim Report to Parliament.

(ii) Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard

That the time period granted to the  Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard, as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 10  January 2024 be extended up to 27 July 2024 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament.


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 and 2 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House. Item No. 2 was referred to the Legislative Standing Committee.:-

(i) Regulations under the Ayurveda Act
(ii) International Institute of Theravadha (Incorporation) Bill - Second Reading


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Not addressing key objectives of functions of independent commissions” was proposed by the Hon. Madhura Withanage, Attorney at Law.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 2nd April 2024.

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