PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

1 : Members to serve in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs
2 : Special Meeting with the participation of the Party Leaders in Parliament, their representatives and the Members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the University of Peradeniya for the year 2023.
(ii)    Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 112 read with Section 16 of the Insurance Industry Act, No. 43 of 2000 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2415/79 of 22nd December 2024.
(iii)    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 Water Supply and Infrastructure Development in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament.


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    The Hon. Ajith P. Perera - Four Petitions
(ii)    The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama           
(iii)    The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake - Seven Petitions
(iv)    The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana - Three Petitions
(v)    The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney at Law

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Ministerial Statement

(i)    Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation made Ministerial Statement regarding ‘Meenagaya’ train collided with elephants at Galloya.
(ii)    Hon. Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 18.02.2025 regarding cause of recent power failure in the country.
(iii)    Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha, on behalf of the  Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 21.02.2025 regarding details of financial reserve, foreign debt etc..


Privilege

The Privilege motion that the question of privilege arising out of the matter raised by the Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law, M.P. on 20th February, 2025 in Parliament to the effect that his privileges have been infringed, moved by the Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament, was referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 118 of the Parliament.


Main Business of the House for Today

Appropriation Bill (2025) - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day)
(appearing as Item No. 1 of today’s Order Paper)


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “solution for illegal fishing activities in Northern province” was proposed by the Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran.


Thereafter, the Second Reading Debate on the Appropriation Bill (2025) was adjourned at 1830 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Monday 24th February 2025.

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