PARLIAMENT

The Hon. (Dr.) Asoka Ranwala, the Speaker took the Chair.


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Supplementary Estimate No.15 of 2024
(ii)    Annual Performance Report of the Judicial Service Commission Secretariat for the year 2022
(iii)    Annual Report of the Ceylon Fishery Harbour Corporation for the year 2021
(iv)    Annual Reports of the National Housing Development Authority for the years 2019 and 2021
(v)    Annual Performance Report of the Department of Buildings for the year 2023


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

(i) Ministerial Consultative Committees

Twenty Four (24) Ministerial Consultative Committees be appointed to be designated as follows:—
1. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence
2. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development
3. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economy
4. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education
5. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation
6. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
7. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
8. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Industry and Entrepreneurship Development
9. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation
10. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Plantation and Community Infrastructure
11. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health and Mass Media
12. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development
13. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour
14. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development, Construction and Housing
15. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government
16. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Rural Development, Social Security and Community empowerment  
17. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Science and Technology
18. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
19. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Energy
20. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports
21. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Child Affairs
22. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment
23. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
24. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration
 
That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 112 of the Parliament, each Ministerial Consultative Committee shall consist of Cabinet Minister in charge of the relevant subject as the Chair, State Minister, Deputy Minister and twenty one (21) other Members of Parliament to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to inquire into and report upon such matters as are referred to it;
 
The quorum of each Ministerial Consultative Committee shall be three (03) members.

(ii) Legislative Standing Committee

In terms of the Standing Order 113, the Legislative Standing Committee shall consist of the Deputy Speaker as the Chair, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees and ten (10) other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

(iii) Committee on Parliamentary Business

That notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Order 115 of the Parliament, the Committee on Parliamentary Business shall consist of the Speaker as the Chair, the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, the Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the Chief Government Whip, the Chief Opposition Whip and sixteen (16) other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve during the First Session of the Tenth Parliament.

(iv) Committee on Standing Orders

In terms of the Standing Order 116 of the Parliament, the Committee on Standing Orders shall consist of the Speaker as the Chair, the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees and six (06) other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

(v) House Committee

In terms of the Standing Order 117 of the Parliament, the House Committee shall consist of the Speaker as the Chair and nine (09) other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

(vi) Committee on Ethics and Privileges

In terms of the Standing Order 118 of the Parliament, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges shall consist of not more than ten (10) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

(vii) Committee on Public Accounts

That notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Order 119 of the Parliament, the Committee on Public Accounts shall consist of twenty two (22) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve during the First Session of the Tenth Parliament.

(viii) Committee on Public Enterprises

That notwithstanding provisions of the Standing Order 120 of the Parliament, the Committee on Public Enterprises shall consist of twenty two (22) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve during the First Session of the Tenth Parliament.

(ix) Committee on Public Finance

In terms of the Standing Order 121 of the Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance shall consist of twelve (12) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

(x) Committee on Ways and Means

In terms of the Standing Order 124 of the Parliament, the Committee on Ways and Means shall consist of sixteen (16) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

(xi) Committee on Public Petitions

That notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Order 125 of the Parliament, the Committee on Public Petitions shall consist of nineteen (19) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve during the First Session of the Tenth Parliament.

(xii) Committee on High Posts

That notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Orders 127 and 130(1) of the Parliament, the Committee on High Posts shall consist of the Speaker as the Chair and twelve (12) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Tenth Parliament.

(xiii) Backbencher Committee

That notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Order 129 of the Parliament, the Backbencher Committee shall consist of the Chief Government Whip, the Chief Opposition Whip, six (06) Backbenchers from the Government and six (06) Backbenchers from the Opposition to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve during the First Session of the Tenth Parliament.


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 13 of today’s Order Paper) were approved by the House.:-

(i) Resolution under the Constitution [Vote on Account]
(ii)    Supplementary Sum - Head 241 - Programme 01
(iii)    Supplementary Sum - Head 249 - Programme 01
(iv)    Supplementary Sum - Head 243 - Programme 01
(v)    Supplementary Sum - Head 126 - Programme 01
(vi)    Supplementary Sum - Head 224 - Programme 01
(vii)    Supplementary Sum - Head 253 - Programme 01
(viii)    Supplementary Sum - Head 102 - Programme 01
(ix)    Supplementary Sum - Head 151 - Programme 02
(x)    Supplementary Sum - Head 111 - Programme 01
(xi)    Supplementary Sum - Head 126 - Programme 01
(xii)    Supplementary Sum - Head 103 - Programme 02
(xiii)    Supplementary Sum - Head 232 - Programme 01


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1740 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 17th December 2024.

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