PARLIAMENT

Two gazette notifications containing regulations pertaining to the plantation industry were approved post being debated in Parliament today (22).

Accordingly, Regulations under the Licensing of Produce Brokers Act No. 9 of 1979 published under the Gazette Notification No. 2222/44 dated 08th April 2021, were approved post being presented in Parliament on 20.01.2022.

Amendment was thus made including the license fee payable for a license to carry on the business of a produce broker amounting to rupees one million.

The link to the relevant gazette notification is as below
http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2021/4/2222-44_E.pdf

Furthermore, Regulations Published in the Gazette Extraordinary Gazette No. 2241/36 dated 18th August 2021 and presented to the Parliament on 20.01.2022 under the Rubber Replanting Subsidy Act, were also passed in Parliament today. Accordingly, the following Regulations will be referred to as the Rubber Replanting Subsidy No. 1 of 2021 in effect from 6th January 2019. The Regulations are in relation to obtaining a Subsidy for Replanting of Rubber Seedlings by the Owner of a Rubber Estate or Small Rubber Land on which Rubber Replanting Permit has been issued under the Rubber Replanting Subsidy Act

The link to the relevant gazette notification is as below
http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2021/8/2241-36_E.pdf

The Surcharge Tax Bill to provide for the imposition of surcharge tax and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto was presented by Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Education and Leader of the House of Parliament.

Parliament convened today at 10.00 am. The Hon. Speaker announced to the House that the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Special Goods and Services Tax” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution has been received.

Time was allotted from 10.00 am to 11.00 am for Questions for Oral Answers. Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition inquired about freedom of expression and the press under Standing Order 27 (2).

The regulations were approved following the debate held until 4.30 pm and was passed. Thereafter, Time was allotted from 4.30 p.m. to 4.50 p.m. for Questions at the Adjournment Time. Hon. S. M. Marikkar inquired from the Hon. Johnston Fernando regarding the construction cost of the 20 km road from Rambukkana to Galagedara on the Central Expressway. and Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda regarding alleged incidents of dishonest checks being made while paying taxes to the Inland Revenue Department.

The Motion at the Adjournment Time on “Implementation of a proper Dengue prevention programme” was proposed by Hon. Anupa Pasqual. Following the Motion at the Adjournment Time held until 5.30 pm, the Parliament was adjourned until 10.00 am of 23rd February.