PARLIAMENT

Limit the time allotted for Questions for Oral Answers to one hour

Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced to Parliament today (19) that it was discussed at length in the meetings of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on 01.09.2023 and 08.09.2023 in connection with the interruption of the main business due to the continuous lapse of time every day beyond the one-hour period allocated as per the provisions of the standing orders for the Questions for Oral Answers and thus the reduction of the debate period.

Accordingly, it is decided to end the one-hour period set aside for Questions for Oral Answers at 10:30 a.m. and if there are any questions that have not been answered at that time, they will be included in the agenda so that they can be taken up on the next listed date.

Furthermore, the Speaker informed that if any member intends to raise any other specific matter during the time allotted for the questions, to proceed according to the standing orders and to obtain his prior permission as necessary in that regard.

A petition for the Bill titled “Value Added Tax (Amendment)”.

The Speaker announced that he has received a copy of a petition filed at the Supreme Court under Article 121(1) of the Constitution in respect of the Bill titled “Value Added Tax (Amendment)”.

Co-opted Members nominated to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee

The Speaker also informed that in terms of Standing Order 113(2), following Co-opted Members have been nominated to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee for the consideration of the “Samadhi Community Development Foundation (Incorporation)” Bill:-

Accordingly, Hon. Rohana Dissanayaka, Hon. A. Aravindh Kumar, Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe, Hon. Kins Nelson, Hon. Rohana Bandara, Hon. Nipuna Ranawaka, Hon. (Mrs.) Rajika Wickramasinghe and Hon. Lalith Varna Kumara have been nominated.

Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene further announced 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 “Sri Balabhivurdhi Wardana Samithiya (Incorporation)” Bill:-

Accordingly, Hon. Vidura Wickramanayaka, Hon. Vijitha Berugoda, Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Samanmale Kumarasinghe, Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe, Hon. Kins Nelson, Hon. Rohana Bandara, Hon. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha and Hon. (Mrs.) Manjula Dissanayake have been nominated to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee.