PARLIAMENT

The Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, the Speaker took the Chair.


The Hon. R. D. Wimaladasa was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before the Hon. Speaker to fill the vacancy caused by reason of the death of the Hon. Neranjan Wickremasinghe.


Announcements by the Speaker

The following announcement was made-

‘A’  :Ruling on the no date motions


Presentation of Petitions

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

(i) The Hon. P. Harrison  
(ii) The Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe - Eleven Petitions
(iii) The Hon. Vijitha Herath  
(iv) The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka - Five Petitions
(v) The Hon. Victor Antony - Two Petitions
(vi) The Hon. Ajith Kumara  
(vii) The Hon. Buddhika Pathirana - Six Petitions

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 23(2)

(i) The Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena

In relation to the Salaries and Pensions of the Public Servants

(ii) The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

In relation to the distribution of motor cycles to Public Servants


Ministerial Statements

(i) The Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, Prime Minister and Minister of Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs
(ii) The Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister of Justice
(iii) The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance

made statements in the House.


Consultative Committees of Parliament

1. Notwithstanding the motion agreed to by Parliament on 04th March 2015, the Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament moved that,

• Consultative Committee on Public Order, Disaster Management & Christian Affairs
• Consultative Committee on Home Affairs & Fisheries
• Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government & Democratic Governance
• Consultative Committee on Irrigation and Agriculture
• Consultative Committee on Highways, Higher Education and Investment Promotion
• Consultative Committee on Justice and Labour Relations
• Consultative Committee on Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs
• Consultative Committee on Ports, Shipping and Aviation

be designated as

• Consultative Committee on Public Order & Christian Religious Affairs
• Consultative Committee on Home Affairs
• Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Local   Government & Democratic Governance
• Consultative Committee on Agriculture
• Consultative Committee on Highways and Investment Promotion
• Consultative Committee on Justice
• Consultative Committee on Mass Media
• Consultative Committee on Ports and Shipping

2. House agreed to the Motion moved by the Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament,

The Eleven (11) Consultative Committees be appointed to be designated -

(i) Consultative Committee on Disaster Management
(ii) Consultative Committee on Labour
(iii) Consultative Committee on Skills Development and Vocational Training
(iv) Consultative Committee on Higher Education and Research
(v) Consultative Committee on Rural Economic Affairs
(vi) Consultative Committee on Provincial Councils and Regional Development
(vii) Consultative Committee on Special Projects
(viii) Consultative Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
(ix) Consultative Committee on Aviation
(x) Consultative Committee on Irrigation
(xi) Consultative Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 106, each Committee shall consist of not less than five (05) Members and not more than Twenty Five (25) Members to inquire into and report upon such matters as are referred to it in terms of Standing Order No. 109

That the quorum of each Committee shall be Three (03) Members


Main Business of the House for Today

Immigrants and Emigrants (Amendment) Bill

was passed by the House.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1745 Hrs. until 1300 Hrs. on Thursday 21st May 2015.

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