PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the Regional Development Bank for the year 2020
(ii)    Annual Report of Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka for the year 2021
(iii)    Annual Report of the State Mortgage and Investment Bank for the year 2022
(iv)    Annual Report of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission for the year 2022
(v)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation for the year 2022
(vi)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Social Services for the year 2023
(vii)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard for the year 2023
(viii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Defence for the year 2023
(ix)    Annual Performance Report of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption for the year 2023
(x)    Annual Report of the Skills Development Fund Limited for the year 2022
(xi)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka for the year 2023
(xii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing for the year 2023
(xiii)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Agriculture for the year 2023
(xiv)    Annual Report of the Lanka Mineral Sands Limited for the year 2021

(xv) 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 Ministry of  Health in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(xvi)    Report on the submission of observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 124(6) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Ministry of Public Security in the report of the Committee on Ways and Means which was presented to Parliament


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i)    The Report and the Minutes of the Legislative Standing Committee on “Penal Code (Amendment) Bill” was presented by the Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, the Deputy Speaker, the Chair of the Committee.
(ii)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans was presented by the Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, 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.
(iv)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health was presented by the Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake, the Chair of the Committee.
(v)    The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport was presented by the Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Nalin Fernando                    
(ii)    The Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Attorney at Law                    
(iii)    The Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe                        -   Two Petitions
(iv)    The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna                    
(v)    The Hon. D. Weerasingha                    
(vi)    The Hon. Jagath Samarawickrama                    
 (Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Presentation of Bills

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

“Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment)”

to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979.


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

(i) 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 22 March 2024 be extended up to 18 October 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 into and to make suitable recommendations relating to the disasters caused by New Diamond and X-press Pearl Vessels in the Maritime Zone of Sri Lanka

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to investigate into and to make suitable recommendations relating to the disasters caused by New Diamond and  X-press Pearl Vessels in the Maritime Zone of Sri Lanka, as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 14 May 2024, be extended up to 20 October 2024 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament, as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament.


Private Members’ Bills

The Hon. Samanpriya Herath was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Mahawilachchiya Education Centre for Children (Incorporation)”

Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 3 and 5 to 6 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-

(i) Two Notifications under the Excise Ordinance
(ii)    Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act
(iii)    Order under the Strategic Development Projects Act
(iv)    Resolution under the Essential Public Services Act


Questions at the Adjournment Time

Two Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. Hector Appuhamy
(ii)    The Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 11th July 2024.

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