PARLIAMENT

The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair.


Messages from the President

1 : Order under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40)


Announcements by the Speaker

2 : Question of privilege raised by the Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P.   


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

(i)    
•    Ninth Installment – Part XXIV of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2016;
•    Ninth Installment – Part XXXIX of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2018;
•    Second Installment – Part LVIII and Ninth Installment – Parts XLVI and XLVII of the Report of the Auditor–General for the Financial Year 2021; and
•    Second Installment – Parts XXXIII and XXXIV and Ninth Installment – Parts XIX and XX 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) Annual Work Programme of the National Audit Office for the year 2025 in terms of Section 35(3) of the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018 which was submitted to me by the Auditor-General in terms of Section 35(1) of the said Act.
(iii)    Third Report of the Constitutional Council submitted to the President in terms of Article 41G (1) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Note on Supplementary Allocations from the Development Activities Programme appearing under Expenditure Head No. 240 of the Department of National Budget for the period from 27.11.2024 to 31.12.2024 in terms of Section 6(1) of the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023.
(ii)    Order made by the then Minister of Education, Science and Technology under Section 27(1) read with Section 21 of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978 on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission with regard to the establishment of a Department of Accounting and Finance of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2412/34 of 29th November 2024.  
(iii)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Fund for the year 2023.
(iv)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for the year 2023.
(v)    Annual Report of the National Institute of Post Harvest Management for the year 2022.
(vi)    Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board for the year 2022.
(vii)    Annual Report of the Bureau of Rehabilitation for the year 2023.
(viii)    Annual Report of the Superior Courts Complex Board of Management for the year 2023.
(ix)    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 Department of Probation and Child Care Services in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament.
(x)    Annual Report of the Central Cultural Fund for the year 2016.


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

Two Reports of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, the Chair of the Committee.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake - Three Petitions                    
(ii)    The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna - Three Petitions

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister

Four Questions were asked by following Members of Parliament:-
(i)    The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara
(ii)    The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake
(iii)    The Hon. S.M. Marikkar
(iv)    The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake


Questions of Privilege

Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

Police obstructing him on his way to Parliament


Main Business of the House for Today

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

(i) Order under the Foreign Exchange Act
(ii)    Two Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act


Adjournment Motion

Adjournment Motion on “Addressing health sector issues through National Health Policy” was proposed by the Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1730 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Thursday 6th February 2025.

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