PARLIAMENT

The Hon. Thilanga Sumathipala, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees took the Chair.


Presentation of Papers

Annual Reports of the-

(i) Open University of Sri Lanka for the year 2013
(ii) University Grants Commission Sri Lanka for the year 2013
(iii) Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka for the year 2012
(iv) Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka for the year 2013
(v) Institute of Technology - University of Moratuwa for the year 2013
(vi) Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Mihintale for the year 2012
(vii) Institute of Human Resource Advancement University of Colombo, Sri Lanka for the year 2012
(viii) University of Colombo Sri Lanka for the year 2013
(ix) National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency of Sri Lanka for the year 2014

Two orders made by the Minister of Finance under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989, relating to excise duty and published in the Gazette Extraordinary Nos.-

(x) 1980/41 of 19th August 2016
(xi) 1980/42 of 19th August 2016

(xii) Annual Performance Report of the Department of Cultural Affairs for the year 2015

(xiii) The Regulation made by the Minister of Justice with the concurrence of the Chief Justice, under Section 61 of the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978 read with Section 60 of that Act and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1967/7 of  16th May 2016


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

The Report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented by its chairman, the Hon. M. A. Sumanthiran.


Presentation of Petitions

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

(i) The Hon. Wasantha Aluwihare  
(ii) The Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle  - Three Petitions
(iii) The Hon. Lucky Jayawardana                           - Two Petitions

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Private Members’ Bills

(i) The Hon. Hector Appuhamy was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Jayamaga Development, Social Services and Charity Foundation (Incorporation)”

(ii) The Hon. Imran Maharoof was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Galhinna Jamiathul Faththah Arabic College (Incorporation)”

The above two Bills (i) and (ii) were referred to the Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare and Minister of Post, Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs respectively for report to Parliament under Standing Order 47 (5) of the Parliament.


Main Business of the House for Today

The following Bills (appearing as Item Nos. 1 to 4 of today’s Order Paper) were passed by the House. Item (ii), (iii) and (iv) were passed with amendments.

(i) Ports and Airports Development Levy (Amendment)
(ii) Nation Building Tax (Amendment)
(iii) Appropriation (Amendment) - Division was taken at the Second Reading (112 in favour; 45 against)
(iv) Value Added Tax (Amendment) - 
       Division by name was taken at the Second Reading (112 in favour; 46 against)

       Division was taken at the Third Reading (76 in favour; 23 against)


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1930 Hrs. until 1030 Hrs. on Thursday 27th October 2016.

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