PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Endorsement of the certificate on Bills under Article 79 of the Constitution
B : Co-opted Members to serve on Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Sathya Sri Ghanapathi Bhakthi Jana Sewa Foundation (Incorporation) Bill”


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

A.
•    Ninth Installment – Part XLIII of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2020;
•    Second Installment – Part LIV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2021; and
•    Second Installment – Part L and Ninth Installment Parts XXXIII and XXXIV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2022  

in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

B.
(i)    First Installment – Parts III and IV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2023 in terms of Article 154(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka  
(ii)    Special Audit Report on the Value Added Tax that should be charged to the Government, but has not yet been charged as per the sources of the Department of Inland Revenue in the Tenth Installment 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 Report of the HDFC Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(ii)    Annual Performance Reports of the District Secretariats of Kalutara, Gampaha, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Anuradhapura for the year 2023
(iii)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Multipurpose Development Task Force for the year 2023
(iv)    Performance Report of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation for the year 2023
(v)    Annual Report of the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka for the year 2022
(vi)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for the year 2023
(vii)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Sports Development for the year 2023
(viii)    Performance Report of the Land Title Settlement Department for the year 2023
(ix)    Annual Performance Report of the Land Commissioner General’s Department for the year 2023
(x)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Public Security for the year 2023

(xi) Reports 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 Fisheries and the State Ministry of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish and Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multiday Fishing Activities and Fish Exports in the reports of the Committee on Public Accounts which were presented to Parliament


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report and the Minutes of the Legislative Standing Committee on “Shaili Edutainment Foundation (Incorporation) Bill” was presented by the Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, the Deputy Speaker, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, the Chair of the Committee.
(iii)    The First Report of the Committee on Public Accounts for the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament was presented by the Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna, the Chair of the Committee.
(iv)    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

The Hon. Buddhika Pathirana        -     Seven Petitions                     
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

(i)    The Hon. Sajith Premadasa

Issues regarding Graduate employment, University non-academic staff salary and Development Officers in Schools

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

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

Historically valuable lands in North and East given to companies

The Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs replied to the above Question.


Ministerial Statements

Hon. Anupa Pasqual, State Minister of Social Empowerment, on behalf of the Minister of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 18.06.2024 regarding lack of facilities to Disabled persons.


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms moved the Bill entitled

“Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements”

to make provision for the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement in Sri Lanka of Judgments of Courts of other countries; and to repeal the Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Ordinance (Chapter 93) and the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Ordinance (Chapter 94); and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 6 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-

(i) Regulations under the Casino Business (Regulation) Act
(ii)    Order under the Casino Business (Regulation) Act
(iii)    Regulation under the Casino Business (Regulation) Act
(iv)    Regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act
(v)    Supplementary Sum - Head 001 - Programme 02
(vi)    Resolution under the Coconut Development Act


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Kabir Hashim
(ii)    The Hon. S. M. M. Muszhaaraff, Attorney at Law


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1720 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 20th June 2024.

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