PARLIAMENT

The Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, the Speaker took the Chair.


Announcements by the Speaker

‘A’:  Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business


Presentation of Papers

(i) Annual Performance Report of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition of Parliament for the year 2014

(ii) Supplementary Allocations from the Budgetary Support Services and Contingency Liabilities Project appearing under Expenditure Head No. 240 of the Department of National Budget - 2015 under Section 6(1) of the Appropriation Act, No. 41 of 2014


Questions under Standing Order 23(2)

(i) The Hon. Anura Dissanayaka

In relation to difficulties faced by the Students of Engineering faculty of South Eastern University


Ministerial Statements

The Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy made a statement in the House regarding a new mechanism of purchasing coal for the coal power plant, in Puttalam.


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament moved the Bill entitled

“Appropriation (Amendment)”

to amend the Appropriation Act, No.41 of 2014.


Private Members’ Bills

(i) The Hon. Piyal Nishantha De Silva was granted leave to introduce the Bill, entitled

“Institute of Sri Lanka Professional Psycho Social Work (incorporation)”

(ii) The Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake was granted leave to introduce the Bill, entitled

“Royal Charity Foundation (incorporation)”

The above Bills were referred to the Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare for report to Parliament under Standing Order 47 (5).


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Motions (appearing as Item No. 1 to 5 of today’s Order Paper) were moved by the House and Passed:-

(i) Re-organizing the Public Administration Structure

That this Parliament resolves since the Ministry of Public Administration is in the process of re-demarcating Grama Niladhari Divisions, the entire Public Administration Structure be re-organized in such a way that Divisional Secretariat Divisions and Districts be demarcated afresh through the re-demarcated Grama Niladhari Divisions and such newly demarcated Divisional Secretary’s Areas be made Local Government Areas and such area should consist of jurisdictions of all public institutions including Divisional Education Area, Police Area, Agrarian Services Area and the Regional Health Services Officers Area.

(ii) Resumption of the further development activities of the Nilwala Ganga project

That this Parliament resolves that further development activities of the Nilwala Ganga project be resumed forthwith and steps be taken expeditiously to solve the problems faced by the people who cultivate various crops on the catchment area of the Nilwala Valley, due to the stalled development activities of the Nilwala Ganga project in the Matara District.

(iii) Extending the honorary post of  Justice of the Peace even beyond the term of the Peoples Representatives of the Provincial Councils and Local Government Bodies

Since the honorary post of Justice of the Peace accorded to the Peoples Representatives of the Provincial Councils and Local Government Bodies are confined only to their term of office, a large number of people who approach them for the relevant service, even after their terms of office is over, are greatly inconvenienced. Therefore this Parliament resolves that a suitable system be adopted to extend this post to the Peoples Representatives even beyond their terms of office.

(iv) Reconsideration of allowances and privileges of all People’s Representatives of the Provincial Councils

That this Parliament resolves that proper measures be adopted in this regard following deep consideration since the allowances privileges and facilities of the Hon. Ministers, Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Chief Government Whips, Leaders of the House, Leaders of the Opposition, Chief Opposition Whips and Hon. Members of the existing Provincial Councils, are not in a proper state.

(v) Reconsideration of the allowances and privileges granted to all Peoples Representatives in Local Authorities

That this Parliament resolves that since there are irregularities with respect to the allowances, privileges and other facilities granted to the Mayors, Chairmen, Deputy Mayors, Vice Chairmen, Leaders of the Opposition and the Members of the existing Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Island and the Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas which are planned to be established in the future, serious consideration be drawn to this matter and proper courses of action be followed in this regard.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1838 Hrs. until 1400 Hrs. on Friday 20th November 2015.

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