PARLIAMENT

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


Announcements by the Speaker

‘A’ :  Joint Annual General Meeting
‘B’ :  Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament and Final Draft of the Standing Orders of Parliament
‘C’ :  Electronic Voting System in Parliament


Presentation of Reports by the Speaker

• The Performance Report of the Finance Commission as at 31 October 2016 in terms of Article 41B(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; and

• The Performance Report of  the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka for  First, Second and Third Quarters of 2016 in terms of Section 30 of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 21 of 1996 and Article 41B(6) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


Presentation of Papers

Annual Reports of the;

(i) National Insurance Trust Fund for the year 2014
(ii) Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation for the year 2011


Presentation of Reports from the Committees

(i) The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development was presented by its chairman, the Hon. Vadivel Suresh.

(ii) 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. (Dr.) Harsha De Silva                      - Three Petitions
(ii) The Hon. Palitha Kumara Thewarapperuma    - Six Petitions

(Petitions stand referred to the Committee on Public Petitions)


Ministerial Statements

Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media replied to the Question raised by the Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena under Standing Order 23(2) of the Parliament regarding the Blocking of ‘breakingnews.lk’ website


Private Members’ Bills

The Hon. Buddhika Pathirana was granted leave to introduce the following Bill, entitled

“Institute of Word Life Line Yoga (Incorporation)”

The above Bill was referred to the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs for report to Parliament under Standing Order 47 (5) of the Parliament.


Main Business of the House for Today

Appropriation Bill (2017) - Committee

Today is the Twenty Fifth Allotted Day of the Appropriation Bill (2017) – “Committee Stage Debate”.

The Appropriation Bill (Budget) 2017 was passed with amendments by the House today, with a majority of 110 votes.

For more details, visit the ‘Budget 2017’ section.


The following Items (appearing as Item Nos. 2 to 17, 19 and 20 of today’s Order Paper) were passed by the House:-

(i) Notification under the Excise Ordinance
(ii) Two Orders  under  the  Excise  (Special Provisions) Act
(iii) Resolution under the Inland Revenue Act
(iv) Nine Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act
(v) Three Orders under Customs Ordinance
(vi) Resolution under Article 108(1) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for the revision of Salary for the Chief Justice, Puisne Judges and President and Judges of the Court of Appeal
(vii) Resolution under Article 108(1) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for the provision of Special Pensionable Fixed Allowance for the Chief Justice, Puisne Judges and President  and Judges of the Court of Appeal
(viii) Resolution under the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


The Parliament was, thereafter adjourned at 1909 Hrs. until 0930 Hrs. on Monday 9th January 2017.

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