• 12 caucuses…
• 382 committee reports submitted to Parliament…

The Parliamentary term of the Ninth Parliament was 4 years, 1 month and 4 days from the date of the inaugural meeting on 20 August 2020 to the date of dissolution on 24.09.2024. Accordingly, during the period of the Ninth Parliament, which has met for 390 days in 5 sessions, the total number of committees established in terms of standing orders is 74. Apart from this, 12 Parliamentary caucuses were functioned for different subjects and the total number of   committees and caucuses that were functioned was 86.

The number of committees and caucuses of the Ninth Parliament is as follows.

Reports of Committees submitted to the Ninth Parliament

Accordingly, the number of reports submitted by the 16 Committees for Special Purposes is 131. The 16 Committees for Special Purposes  are as follows.

•    Committee of Selection
•    Committee on Parliamentary Business
•    Committee on Standing Orders
•    House Committee
•    Committee on Ethics and Privileges
•    Committee on Public Accounts
•    Committee on Public Enterprises
•    Committee on Public Finance
•    Committee on Banking and Financial Services
•    Committee on Economic Stabilization
•    Committee on Ways and Means
•    Committee on Public Petitions
•    Committee on Constitutional Affairs
•    Committee on High Posts
•    Liaison Committee
•    Backbencher Committee

The 17 Sectoral Oversight Committees are as follows.

•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open & Accountable Government
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy & Transport
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Sustainable Development
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security & Agriculture
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment & Labour
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Increasing Export of Goods & Services
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Just and Law-Abiding Society
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Media, Youth, Heritage and New Citizen
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Reconciliation and National Unity
•    Sectoral Oversight Committee on Religious Affairs and Co-Existence

For the first time, the youth of Sri Lanka had the opportunity to join the legislative process through the Sectoral Oversight Committees. Accordingly, during the Ninth parliamentary term youths were given the opportunity to actively participate in Sectoral Oversight Committee meetings.  The aim was to ensure that the voice of the younger generation is heard and considered in policy-making and monitoring, bringing a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the legislative process, enabling them to grasp the nuances and complexities of the role of Parliament, and providing opportunities for better understanding of civic responsibilities and institutional relationships.

Also, in terms of the standing orders, there should be one Ministerial Consultative Committee for each cabinet ministry, and 29 such Ministerial Consultative Committees were implemented in the Ninth Parliament.

In addition, during the Ninth Parliamentary term, 11 Select Committees were implemented and 08 committee reports were submitted after completion of the work. The Select Committees are as follows.

• Select Committee of Parliament to carry out an in-depth investigation into the issues that have arisen related to the Nilwala river and other water bodies in Matara District and to make recommendations for the development of a set of new reconstruction proposals
• Select Committee of Parliament to consider the government business presented to Parliament by the public institutions that do not come under the purview of the existing Ministries
• 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
• 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
• Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard
• Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka
• Select Committee of Parliament to look into whether the child malnutrition issue in Sri Lanka is aggravating and to identify short term, medium term and long term measures to be taken in that regard, as well as to oversee the speedy implementation of the identified measures
• Select Committee of Parliament to make recommendations for the Review and Reform of Legal Education in Sri Lanka
• 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
• Select Committee of Parliament to identify appropriate reforms of the Election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments
• Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate into Incidents of Infringement of Privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make Suitable Recommendations in that regard

The 8 Select Committee reports are as follows.

• Report of the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender-based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka
• Report of 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
• Report of the Select Committee of Parliament to look into whether the child malnutrition issue in Sri Lanka is aggravating and to identify short term, medium term and long term measures to be taken in that regard, as well as to oversee the speedy implementation of the identified measures
• Report of 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
• Report of the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard
• Report of the  Select Committee of Parliament to identify appropriate reforms of the Election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments
• Report of the Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate into Incidents of Infringement of Privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make Suitable Recommendations in that regard
• Report of the Select Committee of Parliament to make recommendations for the Review and Reform of Legal Education in Sri Lanka

Furthermore, the Legislative Standing Committee chaired by the Deputy Speaker has submitted 25 committee reports to Parliament regarding its activities during the Ninth Parliament.