PARLIAMENT

The Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees took the Chair.


Announcements by the Speaker

The following announcement was made-

‘A’  : Endorsement under Article 79 of the Constitution


Presentation of Papers

(i) Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance for the year 2012

(ii) Annual Performance Reports of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management for the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013

(iii) Regulations made by the Minister of Land and Land Development under Section 67 of the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998 and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 1886/58 of 31st October 2014


Presentation of Petitions

Public Petitions were presented by the following Hon. MPP:-

(i) The Hon. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam                   
(ii) The Hon. Karuppaiah Velayudam - Twelve Petitions
(iii) The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka - Four Petitions
(iv) The Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe - Two Petitions

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 23(2)

(i) The Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva

In relation to the Foreign Reserves of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka

(ii) The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

In relation to the Treasury Bonds of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka


Ministerial Statements

Prime Minister and Minister of Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs, the Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe made two Ministerial Statements on the Foreign Reserves and the Treasury Bonds of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.


Personal Explanations

The Hon. Rajiva Wijesinha made a Personal Explanation on Resignation from his ministerial portfolio.


Private Members’ Bills

The Hon. (Ven.) Athuraliye Rathana Thero was granted leave to introduce the Bill, entitled

“Institute of Sport for Peace, Education, Empowerment and Development (SPEED) (incorporation)”

The above was referred to the Minister of Social Services, Welfare and Livestock Development for report to Parliament under Standing Order 47 (5).


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 1 and 2 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House:-

(i) Order under the Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Act - was taken up and adjourned for a future date
(ii) Madahapola Sri Ratnapalaramaya Religious and Buddhist Educational Development Foundation (Incorporation) Bill - passed by the House


Motion at the Adjournment Time

Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Action to be taken by the Government to purchase paddy, rubber and tea on a fixed price sequel to the election pledges” was moved by the Hon. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1857 Hrs. until 1300 Hrs. on Wednesday 18th March 2015.

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