PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Endorsement of the certificate on a Bill under Article 79 of the Constitution  
B : Receipt of copies of petitions in respect of the Bill titled “Sri Lanka Electricity” filed at the Supreme Court
C : Announcement that a vacancy has occurred in the membership of the Ninth Parliament
D : Member to serve in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce and Food Security
E : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Special Statement by the Honourable President

Honourable President made a Special Statement regarding the current economic situation of the country.


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 “Institute of Drafting Technologists Sri Lanka (Incorporation)” was presented by the Hon. Minister of Education.


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Technology was presented by the Hon. Kanaka Herath, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) V. Radhakrishnan, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Attorney at Law                    
(ii)    The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka                         -  Three Petitions
(iii)    The Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe                                                           
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Issues in education sector

Hon. Minister of Education replied to the above Question.


Ministerial Statements

Hon. Nalin Fernando, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security made a Ministerial Statement on reduction in the prices of essential food items.


Presentation of Bills

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

“Gender Equality”

to make provisions for the formulation and implementation of the National Policy on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women; to appoint or designate Gender Focal Point; to ensure gender equality of persons of different gender identities; to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.


Main Business of the House for Today

Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) (Amendment) Bill (appearing as Item No. 1 of today’s Order Paper)

was passed by the House.


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Protecting Village of Vankalai and other areas in Mannar from sea erosion” was proposed by the Hon. Charles Nirmalanathan.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1736 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Friday 10th May 2024.

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