PARLIAMENT

Suspension of Member of Parliament Hon. Sanath Nishantha's parliamentary service for a period of two weeks

Mr. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana announced in the Parliament that he strongly condemns the serious indiscipline situation that occurred in the House yesterday (Nov. 21) and in accordance with the powers assigned to him in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 146 of the Parliament, the parliamentary services of the Member of Parliament Hon. Sanath Nishantha will be suspended for a period of two weeks from today (22).

3 new caucuses including Parliament Members Caucus for the Revival of the cricket in Sri Lanka

Speaker informed that approval has been received for the establishment of three parliamentary caucuses as mentioned below, during the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on November 20, 2023.

• Establishment of a Parliamentary ‘Caucus for the Revival of the cricket in Sri Lanka’ as requested by the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sajith Premadasa.
• Establishment of two parliamentary caucuses on “Protection Hill Country” and “Human Rights” as requested separately by MP Hon. Wasantha Yapabandara and 14 and 12 other MPs respectively.

Seating of Members of Parliament in the Chamber during Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill

Since the Committee Stage Debate of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2024 is scheduled to begin on today (22) the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced to the Parliament for the attention of all the Members of Parliament regarding the rules regarding the seating of the Members of Parliament in the Chamber during the Committee Stage Debate

Accordingly, the Speaker informed that although the state minister can traditionally sit near his Cabinet Minister during the Budget Committee, addressing the Parliament during the debate should be done only from the reserved seat.

Amendments made in the Budget Committee Stage program

The Speaker informed the House about the revised dates as the dates for the debate of the heads of several ministries during the 2024 Budget Committee Stage have been revised. Accordingly,

• Budget head of the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reform, which was scheduled to be debated on Monday, November 27, 2023, is to be debated on Saturday, December 02, 2023.
• The budget head of the Ministry of Education, which was scheduled to be debated on Saturday, December 02, 2023 is to be taken for the debate on Tuesday, December 05, 2023.
• The budget head of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, which were scheduled to be debated on Tuesday, December 05, 2023 is to be debated on Monday, November 27, 2023.

The Speaker also informed that a copy of the letter containing the said amendments has already been placed on the chamber-table of every member.