The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker took the Chair.
Announcements by the Speaker
1 : Co-opted Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Online Safety (Repeal)” Bill
2 : Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business
Presentation of Papers
(i) Annual Report and Accounts of the University of Kelaniya for the year 2024
(ii) Annual Performance Report of the Inland Revenue Department for the year 2025
(iii) Performance Report of the Judges of the Superior Courts for the year 2025
(iv) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Election Commission in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(v) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Audit Service Commission in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(vi) Report on the observations and steps taken in terms of the Standing Order 119(4) of the Parliament with regard to the matters mentioned on the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in the report of the Committee on Public Accounts which was presented to Parliament
(vii) Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 20 read with Sections 4(1), 6 and 14 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 as amended by Acts, No. 48 of 1985 and No. 28 of 1987 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2493/03 of 15th June 2026
(viii) Regulations made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 20 read with Sections 4(1) and 14 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 as amended by Acts, No. 48 of 1985 and No. 28 of 1987 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2493/39 of 18th June 2026
(ix) Annual Performance Report of the Mass Media Division of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media for the year 2025
(x) Annual Performance Report of the Department of Government Information for the year 2025
(xi) Annual Performance Report of the Irrigation Department for the year 2025
(xii) Annual Report of the Janatha Estates Development Board for the year 2020
(xiii) Performance Report of the Fisheries Reward Fund of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the year 2025
(xiv) Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Energy for the year 2025
(xv) Performance Report of the Department of Forest Conservation for the year 2025
(xvi) Annual Performance Report of the Sri Lanka Police for the year 2025
(xvii) Performance Report of the Department of Immigration and Emigration for the year 2025
(xviii) Annual Report of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation for the year 2024
Presentation of Reports from the Committees
The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by the Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament, the Chair of the Committee.
Presentation of Petitions
(i) The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, Member of Parliament
(ii) The Hon. Ajith P. Perera, Member of Parliament - Two Petitions
(iii) The Hon. D. V. Chanaka, Member of Parliament - Two Petitions
(iv) The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama, Member of Parliament
(v) The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila, Member of Parliament
(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)
Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament
(i) The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah
Solution for theft and piracy faced at sea by fishermen from Batticaloa and Ampara district
(ii) The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam
Issues regarding Port City
Ministerial Statements
(i) Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education replied to the Question asked from the Prime Minister by the Hon. Mujibur Rahman on 10.06.2026 regarding details of ‘Ditwah’ cyclone relief.
(ii) Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, 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 05.05.2026 regarding financial fraud at NDB bank and accountability concern of Central Bank in regulations.
Main Business of the House for Today
The following Motions (appearing as Item Nos. 2,3 and 5 to 7 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House and Passed: -
• Preservation of places of historical value in Sri Lanka, including Maduwanwela Walawwa, which belongs to the Kolonna Divisional Secretariat Division of the Ratnapura District
That this Parliament resolves that whereas there are many places of historical value in Sri Lanka including the Maduwanwela Walawwa, a historical place belonging to the Kolonna Divisional Secretariat Division of the Ratnapura district, whereas such places have attracted tourists and such places have become extremely unsafe at present, the government should formulate a course of action to save them for posterity for utilizing them for the tourism industry while preserving such places without damaging their original antiquity and promptly surveying and settling the lands belonging to such places.
• Appointment of a trained student counsellor to every school for the educational development, vocational development and personal social development of school children
That this Parliament resolves that the Government should take necessary steps to appoint a trained student counsellor to every school for the sake of educational development, vocational development, and personal social development of school children, whereas various psychological disturbances are currently observed among many school children and these conditions indirectly affect their physical and social well-being, and whereas teachers are appointed as student counsellors and the service expected from them has not been effectively delivered in some instances despite their being appointed as such due to their role of school teachers impinging, and whereas the necessity for a student counsellor has emerged in every school.
• Formulation of a pension scheme for the Sri Lankans working abroad, who are styled as “Rata Viruwan” (Migrant Heroes)
That this Parliament resolves that the Government should formulate a pension scheme by establishing a pension fund using a certain percentage of the money received from the Sri Lankan labour force working overseas as foreign exchange, whereas the contribution of them is very significant in revitalizing the national economy of Sri Lanka, and whereas the said employees have to undergo various difficulties by being unable to engage in a job after returning to Sri Lanka while living with their children after working abroad for many years due to the economic crisis.
• Formulation of a system to prevent the sale of unhealthy food to children in school canteens within the school system of Sri Lanka
That this Parliament resolves that the government should introduce and implement restrictions on the types of food and beverages permitted for sale in school canteens, in order to control the diabetes condition among school children in Sri Lanka, whereas specialist doctors have pointed out that diabetes is now widely diagnosed among school children in Sri Lanka, and whereas the types of food consumed, as well as dietary habits and eating patterns, are major causes of diabetes, and whereas food items containing high amounts of sugar and flour, which contribute to diabetes, along with foods such as fried rice, kottu, and instant noodles, are being sold in large quantities to schoolchildren through school canteens within the Sri Lankan school system.
• Promoting tourism services and economic development in Jaffna
That this Parliament resolves that Jaffna and Northern Sri Lanka be recognized as key tourism hubs and steps should be taken to support the creation of a centralized tourism platform in Jaffna to connect travelers from across the country and abroad with local hotels, restaurants, and service providers, promoting authentic travel experiences, by encouraging and facilitating the establishment of tourism service businesses that empower local operators and promote cultural heritage, supporting policies and investments that enhance infrastructure, digital connectivity, and marketing to boost tourist arrivals and satisfaction in Northern Sri Lanka, promoting public-private partnerships to foster sustainable tourism development and economic growth in the Jaffna region, and by monitoring the impact of such initiatives on local employment and business opportunities, aiming for sustainable economic benefits within 12 to 18 months, whereas promoting tourism services and economic development could strengthen the local tourism economy, create jobs, and showcase Jaffna as a vibrant cultural destination.
Motion at the Adjournment Time
Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Market specific strategy for tourism industry” was proposed by the Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi, Member of Parliament.
The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1627 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 21st July 2026.
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