PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

Committee of Selection has nominated Members to be replaced for the following Committees-

‘A’  :  Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development
‘B’  :  Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development
‘C’  :  Sectoral Oversight Committee on Sustainable Development and Environment and Natural Resources
‘D’  :  Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations
‘E’  :  Sectoral Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Lands
‘F’  :  Committee on Public Enterprises
‘G’  :  Committee on Public Accounts

‘H’  :  Cancellation of Sectoral Oversight Committee Meetings


Presentation of Papers

Order made by the Minister of Higher Education and Highways under Section 27(1) of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978 with regard to the establishment of the;

(i) University of Colombo, Sri Lanka on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 1948/58 of 8th January 2016
(ii) Sabaragamuwa University, Sri Lanka on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 1954/45 of 19th February 2016
(iii) University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission and published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 1960/8 of 29th March 2016

Order made by the Minister of Higher Education and Highways under Section 20(4) of the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978 and published in the;

(iv) Gazette Extraordinary No. 1960/10 of 29th March 2016
(v) Gazette Extraordinary No. 1960/11 of 29th March 2016

Performance Reports of the;

(vi) Ministry of Disaster Management for the year 2015
(vii) Department of Cultural Affairs for the year 2014

(viii) Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2015


Presentation of Petitions

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

(i) The Hon. John Amaratunga  
(ii) The Hon. Vasudeva Nanayakkara  - 2 Petitions
(iii) The Hon. Lakshman Ananda Wijemanne  
(iv) The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa  - 3 Petitions
(v) The Hon. (Prof.) Ashu Marasinghe

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Questions under Standing Order 23(2)

(i) The Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena

Accelerated Construction of the Proposed College of Education for technological subjects in Homagama Knowledge Based Zone

(ii) The Hon. Douglas Devananda

Regarding the Palali Airport extension


Presentation of Bills

The Hon. Minister of Science, Technology and Research moved the Bill entitled

“National Research Council of Sri Lanka”

to provide for the establishment of a council to be called and known as the National Research Council of Sri Lanka for the purpose of fostering and sustaining a science and technology research culture and community in Sri Lanka and facilitating research programmes that will contribute to the National Development Agenda, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.


Adjournment Motion

Adjournment Motion on the “Present Situation of Sri Lankan Airline Ltd. and its Future” was moved by the Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha.


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1830 Hrs. until 1300 Hrs. on Wednesday 18th May 2016.

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