The Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, the Speaker took the Chair.


Announcements by the Speaker

‘A’ : Endorsement of the certificate on Bills under Article 79 of the Constitution
‘B’: Members of Parliament to serve in the Panel of Chairs


Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

The Performance Report of the Finance Commission, from 01.01.2017 to 31.12.2017, in terms of Article 41B (6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Annual Report of the National Human Resources Development Council of Sri Lanka for the year 2016
(ii)    Annual Report of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited for the year 2016
(iii)    Annual Report and Accounts of the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation for the year 2016
(iv)    Annual Report of the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority for the year 2015
(v)    Annual Report of the National Institute of Education for the year 2013

(vi)    Annual Performance Report of the Educational Publications Department for the year 2016

(vii)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance and Mass Media, under Section 32(1) of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) regarding on Excise duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2054/41 of 18th January 2018
(Excise Notification No. 03/2018)

(viii)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance and Mass Media, under Section 25 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) regarding on Excise duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2054/42 of 18th January 2018
(Excise Notification No. 04/2018)

(ix)    Notifications made by the Minister of Finance and Mass Media, under Sections 2 and 22 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) regarding on Excise duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2055/9 of 23rd January 2018
(Excise Notifications Nos. 05/2018 and 06/2018)

(x)    Notification made by the Minister of Finance and Mass Media, under Sections 2, 12, 22 and 25 read with Section 32 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) regarding on Excise duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2059/32 of 21st February 2018
(Excise Notification No. 07/2018)


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Sustainable Development and Environment and Natural Resources was presented by the Chairperson of the Committee, the Hon. (Mrs.) Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi.


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Gayantha Karunatileka, the Chief Government Whip presented the following Bills entitled-

(i)    1990 Suwaseriya Foundation - to provide for the establishment of the 1990 Suwaseriya Foundation; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto

(ii)    Land (Restrictions on Alienation) (Amendment) - to amend the Land (Restrictions on Alienation) Act, No. 38 of 2014


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

(i)    Committee on Standing Orders of Parliament

In terms of the Standing Order No. 116 of the Parliament, the Committee on Standing Orders shall consist of the Speaker who shall be the Chair, the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Chairman of Committees and Six (06) other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection

(ii)    House Committee

In terms of the Standing Order No. 117 of the Parliament, the House Committee shall consist of the Speaker who shall be the Chair and Nine (09) other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection

(iii)    Committee on Ethics and Privileges

In terms of the Standing Order No. 118 of the Parliament, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges shall consist not more than Ten (10) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection

(iv)    Committee on Public Accounts

That notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Order No. 119 of the Parliament, the Committee on Public Accounts shall consist of Twenty Six (26) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection

(v)    Committee on Public Enterprises

That notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Order No. 120 of the Parliament, the Committee on Public Enterprises shall consist of Twenty Six (26) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection

(vi)    Committee on Public Finance

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No.121 of the Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance shall consist of a Chair and Nineteen (19) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection

(vii)    Committee on Public Petitions

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No.122 of the Parliament, Committee on Public Petitions shall consist of Twenty Two (22) Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection


Main Business of the House for Today

Two Orders under the Strategic Development Projects Act

were approved by the House.


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Difficulties faced by fishermen due to increase of fuel price” was proposed by the Hon. Nihal Galappaththi.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1910 Hrs. until 1300 Hrs. on Wednesday 23rd May 2018.

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