PARLIAMENT

The Hon. J. M. Ananda Kumarasiri, the Deputy Speaker and the Chair of Committees took the Chair.


Announcements by the Speaker

‘A’ :  Regarding the disposal of ballet papers used for Deputy Speaker Election held on 5th June 2018
‘B’ :  Endorsement of the certificate on Bills under Article 79 of the Constitution
‘C’ :  Replacement Member to serve in the Committee on Public Petitions
‘D’ :  Appointment of Members to serve in the following Ministerial Consultative Committees-

•    Defence
•    Mahaweli Development and Environment

Presentation of Papers by the Speaker

(i)    The Performance Report of the Delimitation Commission for the Third quarter (01.07.2018 - 30.09.2018) of 2018 in terms of Articles 41B (6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;
(ii)    The Performance Report of the Audit Service Commission for the Third quarter (01.07.2018 - 30.09.2018) of 2018 in terms of Articles 41B (6) and 153H of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; and
(iii)    The Progress Report of the Public Services Commission for the Second quarter of 2018 (01.04.2018 - 30.06.2018) in terms of Articles 41B (6) and 55(5) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Papers

(i)    Report on the Submission of observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the Report presented to Parliament by the Committee on Public Accounts  regarding the performance of the National Police Commission in the year 2016
(ii)    Notes on Supplementary Allocations from the Supplementary Support Services and Contingent Liabilities Project appearing under Expenditure Head No. 240 of the Department of National Budget for the period from 16.08.2018 to 30.11.2018 under Section 6(1) of the Appropriation Act, No. 30 of 2017
(iii)    Order made by the Minister of Finance and Mass Media under Section 3(3) of the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, No. 18 of 2011 relating to Ports and Airports Development Levy and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2079/34 of 11th July 2018
(iv)    Order made by the Minister of Finance and Mass Media under Section 3 of the Stamp  Duty (Special Provisions) Act, No. 12 of 2006 relating to Stamp Duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2091/3 of 01st October 2018
(v)    Order made by the Minister of Finance and Mass Media under Section 3 of the Stamp  Duty (Special Provisions) Act, No. 12 of 2006 relating to Stamp Duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2104/5 of 31st December 2018

(vi)    Report on the Submission of observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the Report presented to Parliament by the Committee on Public Accounts  regarding the performance of the Department of Textile Industry in the year 2016

(vii)    National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy

(viii)    Order made by the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade under Section 14(1) of the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, No. 40 of 1979 relating to CESS and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2093/19 of 17th October 2018

(ix)    Annual Report of the Employees’ Provident Fund for the year 2016


Presentation of Petitions

(i)    Hon. Buddhika Pathirana                -       Five Petitions
(ii)    Hon. Gamini Lokuge                       
(iii)    Hon. Vijitha Herath                        -        Four Petitions
(iv)    Hon. Susantha Punchinilame           -       Two Petitions          
(v)    Hon. Nihal Galappaththi                  -       Two Petitions          
(vi)     Hon. D. V. Chanaka

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament

The Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa

Removal of Director General of Department of Customs


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, the Leader of the House of Parliament presented the Bill entitled-

“Appropriation”

to provide for the service of the financial year 2019; to authorize the raising of loans in or outside Sri Lanka, for the purpose of such service; to make financial provision in respect of certain activities of the Government during that financial year; to enable the payment by way of advances out of the Consolidated Fund or any other fund or moneys of, or at the disposal of the Government, of moneys required during that financial year for expenditure on such activities; to provide for the refund of such moneys to the Consolidated Fund and to make provision for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.


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

(i)    Business of the Parliament

That for  the purpose of the proceedings of the current session, Standing Order 38(4)  of the Parliament shall operate with substitution of the words “One question for the Government and three questions for the Opposition” for the words “Two questions each for the Government and the Opposition”

(ii)    Committee on Parliamentary Business

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 115 of the Parliament and the Resolution adopted by Parliament on 11th January 2019, 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 Nineteen (19) other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection, as per the decision taken on 25th  January 2019, by the Committee of Selection

(iii)    Ministerial Consultative Committees

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 112 (1) of the Parliament the following five (05) Ministerial Consultative Committees be appointed to be designated in addition to the thirty one (31) Ministerial Consultative Committees approved by Parliament on 24th January 2019, as per the decision taken on 25th January, 2019 by the Committee of Selection

1.    Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour and Trade Union Relations
2.    Ministerial Consultative Committee on Science, Technology & Research
3.    Ministerial Consultative Committee on Economic Reforms and Public Distribution
4.    Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology
5.    Ministerial Consultative Committee on Special Area Development

Each Ministerial Consultative Committee shall consist of the Non- Cabinet Minister in charge of the relevant subject as the Chairperson, State Minister, Deputy Minister and Five (05) other Members of Parliament to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to discuss and report upon such matters as are referred to it

The quorum of above Ministerial Consultative Committee shall be three (03) Members


Adjournment Motion

Adjournment Motion on “The Report of the Presidential Commission of inquiry to investigate and inquire into the serious acts of fraud, corruption and abuse of power, state resources and privileges (PRCIFAC)” was proposed by the Hon. M. A. Sumanthiran.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1855 Hrs. until 1300 Hrs. on Wednesday 6th February 2019.

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