PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

A : Member to serve in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
B : Member to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Sustainable Development
C : Member to serve in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Religious Affairs and Co-Existence by the Committee


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Performance Report of the Parliament of Sri Lanka for the year 2023.
(ii)    Annual Performance Reports of the Sections of the General Education, Higher Education and Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation of the Ministry of Education for the year 2023
(iii)    Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Mass Media for the year 2023


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

The Second Report of the Committee on Public Accounts for the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament was presented by the Hon. Tissa Attanayake, member of the Committee on behalf of the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka         -      Four Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. Tissa Attanayake            -      Two Petitions
(iii)    The Hon. Buddhika Pathirana         -      Two 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 faces by Co-operative movement

The Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security replied to the above Question.

(ii) The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

Privatization, etc. of SLBC and SLRC

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

Foreign debt/ loan barrowing and development projects


Ministerial Statements

Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Non Cabinet Minister of State Plantation Enterprises Reforms and State Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 09.07.2024 regarding solution for pensioners’ grievances.


Questions of Privilege

Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara

Ruling given by Supreme Court


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

Select Committee of Parliament to study the practical problems and difficulties in relation to preparation for the proposed ‘Business Ready (B-READY) Index’ in Sri Lanka and make its proposals and recommendations

That the time period granted to the Select Committee of Parliament to study the practical problems and difficulties in relation to preparation for the proposed ‘Business Ready (B-READY) Index’ in Sri Lanka and make its proposals and recommendations, as specified in the Resolution passed by Parliament on 20th June 2024, be extended up to 22nd August 2024 in terms of Standing Order 102 of the Parliament as the Committee needs further time to report its observations to Parliament.


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Holding the Presidential Election during the period from 17th September to 16th October 2024 as required by the Constitution and other applicable laws” was proposed by the Hon. Anura Dissanayaka.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Friday 12th July 2024.

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