The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih, the Deputy Speaker and the Chair of Committees took the Chair.
Announcements by the Speaker
1 : Determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill entitled “Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment)”
2 : Navaratri Festival organized by Parliament of Sri Lanka
Presentation of Papers
(i) Annual Report of the Sugarcane Research Institute for the year 2024
(ii) Annual Report of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation for the year 2020
Presentation of Petitions
(i) The Hon. Kins Nelson, Member of Parliament
(ii) The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana, 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
Measures to protect ethnic harmony and national security
The Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs replied to the above Question.
(ii) The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan
Effect of “Whitefly” infestation of coconut cultivation in Northern Province and Mannar
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. Dilip Wedaarachchi on 09.09.2026 regarding export of stones removed from Hambantota harbour.
(ii) Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation made a Ministerial Statement regarding El Nino weather condition in near future and food security.
(iii) Hon. Hon. (Prof.) A. H. M. H. Abayarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government replied to the Question raised by the Hon. K. Kader Masthan under the Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament on 25.09.2026 regarding cadre vacancies in government institutions in Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Main Business of the House for Today
The following Motions (appearing as Item Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House. Items Nos. 1, 4 and 5 were passed and Item No. 2 was not passed as it is: -
• Protection of the Diyagama Forest
That this Parliament resolves that, urgent action should be taken to immediately halt all clearance and development activities within the Diyagama Forest, to gazette it as a protected area under the Fauna and Flora Protection Act (FFPA), to place it under the jurisdiction of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and to ensure the strongest possible legal protection against future encroachment and unsustainable development; whereas the Diyagama Forest is one of the last remaining urban lowland rainforest near Colombo and the closest rainforest fragment to the city; whereas it plays a vital role as a natural flood buffer by regulating water flow through its wetlands and streams that feed the Bolgoda River, thereby protecting surrounding communities from flooding; whereas this forest is home to over 220 species of flora and fauna, including endangered species such as the Red Slender Loris, Purple-faced Langur, and Fishing Cat; whereas it constitutes a critical biodiversity hotspot serving as a last refuge for approximately 12.6% endemic flora and 11.58% endemic fauna, many of which are increasingly threatened by urban expansion; whereas the Diyagama Forest is internationally recognized for its Loris population, attracting foreign visitors and presenting strong potential for sustainable eco-tourism; whereas the protection of this forest is essential for safeguarding biodiversity, climate resilience, and community safety; and whereas the loss of the Diyagama Forest would be irreversible, making its immediate conservation imperative for future generations and in fulfillment of Sri Lanka’s national and international conservation commitments.
• Appointment of a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to seek the truth about the ethnic violence that occurred during the 'Black July' of 1983, to assess the damages and to make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such ethnic violence
That this Parliament resolves that a Presidential Commission of Inquiry should be appointed to seek the truth about the said violent acts, to assess the damages caused and to make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such ethnic violence whereas the 'Black July' of 1983 and the massacres at the Welikada Prison, ethnic conflicts, and violent acts have left a severe scar on the national integration, social structure, and economy of the country; and whereas thousands of people were killed, tens of thousands were displaced and made refugees; and whereas valuable property including homes and business places were set on fire and completely destroyed during the said conflicts and violent acts; and whereas the perpetrators of these conflicts and violent acts have not been identified despite the lapse of over forty years since this event took place; and whereas a comprehensive and independent investigation into the human rights violations and damages to property has not been conducted to date; and whereas it is essential to ensure that such ethnic conflicts and violent acts do not recur in this country and to build sustainable harmony and reconciliation among all communities of the country.
• Formulating a programme to exercise justice to the individuals who have become the victims of microfinance loans
this Parliament resolves that a programme should be formulated to ensure justice to the individuals who have obtained microfinance loans due to the fact that the majority of them have now become victims of the loans concerned.
• Making Sports Bodies in Sri Lanka free from politicization
That this Parliament resolves that the elected politicians should be prohibited from contesting and holding leading positions in sports bodies, as it is evident that these organizations have become heavily politicised in Sri Lanka.
Motion at the Adjournment Time
Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Restructuring of energy sector” was proposed by the Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney at Law, Member of Parliament.
The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1633 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Tuesday 20th October 2026.
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