Parliament convened today (May 23) at 9.30 am and the following announcements were made by the Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the Speaker.

The Hon. Speaker informed to the House that in accordance to the provisions of Article 65(5)(c) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, who held the position of Secretary General of the Parliament, retired from the said position with effect from May 23rd, 2023. The Hon. Speaker also presented the letter received from Mr. Dasanayake dated 17th May 2023 to the Parliament.

The Speaker also announced that in accordance with the provisions of Article 65(1) of the Constitution, the Hon. President has appointed the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera, as the Secretary General of the Parliament from May 23rd, 2023.

The Hon. Speaker also announced to the House that in terms of Standing Order 113(2), he has nominated the following Co-opted Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the Bill entitled “Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation (Incorporation) (Amendment)”

Accordingly, Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Hon. Anupa Pasqual, Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe,    Hon. B. Y. G. Rathnasekara, Hon. Charles Nirmalanathan, Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, Hon. (Mrs.) Rajika Wickramasinghe, Hon. Samanpriya Herath have been nominated to the said Committee.

The Hon. Speaker also announced that in terms of Standing Order No. 113(2), he has nominated the following Members of Parliament as the Co-opted Members to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for consideration of the Bill entitled “Kelaniya Buddhist Women’s Charitable Society (Incorporation)”

Accordingly, Hon. Vidura Wickramanayaka, Hon. Prasanna Ranaweera, Hon. Gayantha Karunathileka, Hon. (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana, Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, Hon.  M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep Withana, Hon. (Mrs.) Manjula Dissanayake have been nominated to the said Committee.

The Hon. Speaker also informed that in terms of the provisions of Article 79 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, he has endorsed the certificate on the Bill entitled “Rathanatissa Peace Foundation (Incorporation)” on 23 May 2023.