PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Meetings of the Committee on Parliamentary Business and Committee of Selection


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

Special Audit Report on the Management/ Administration of Various Funds in Sri Lanka Customs in the Tenth Installment – Part VIII of the Report of the Auditor General in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Economic Review and Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2023
(ii)    Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation for the year 2022

(iii) 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 Leader of the House of Parliament in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

The Report and the Minutes of the Legislative Standing Committee on “Pavithra Wanniarachchi Sahurda Foundation (Incorporation) Bill” was presented by the Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte, Attorney at Law, on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva, Attorney at Law           
(ii)    The Hon. Buddhika Pathirana                      -    Ten Petitions
(iii)    The Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya                    
(iv)    The Hon. Yadamini Gunawardena                -    Two Petitions                    
 (Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Effect on Tourism industry due to visa fee increase

The Hon. Minister of Tourism replied to the above Question.


Motions for Leave of Absence

Leave of Parliament was granted to the Hon. G. G. Ponnambalam, Member of Parliament for Jaffna Electoral District to be absent from sittings of Parliament with effect from 26.04.2024, moved by the Hon. Chief Opposition Whip.


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament moved the Bill entitled

“Public Debt Management”

to provide Public Debt Management including the authorisation to borrow, to issue and to service public debt for the Government and issuing guarantees, on-lending, enter into suppliers’ credit and financial lease agreements; for the establishment of the Public Debt Management Office and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.


Main Business of the House for Today

Regulations under Immigrants and Emigrants Act (appearing as Item No. 1 of today’s Order Paper)

was approved by the House.


Adjournment Motion

Adjourned debate on “Easter Sunday Attack” was continued and concluded.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1811 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 7th May 2024.

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