Sitting of Thursday, 9 January 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1738229262040729 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Opening and Announcements 6 speeches
- 2 Oral question Oral Questions 86 speeches
- 3 Papers Bills Presented and Orders 8 speeches
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya presented the Appropriation Bill, 2025 on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Bill was scheduled for Second Reading on 17 February 2025, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. The sitting also recorded the presentation of the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, with its Second Reading set for 23 January 2025 and referral to the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved a procedural motion to vary the day’s sitting times, setting sessions from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. notwithstanding Standing Order 8. The motion also provided for Standing Order 8(5) to apply at 11.30 a.m. and for the House to adjourn at 5.30 p.m. without Question Time; it was agreed to.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised concerns about the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, noting that deeming nominations never to have been presented may adversely affect public servants who took no-pay leave and lost promotions or increments after submitting nominations. He urged the Government to address their situation and said ambiguities identified by the Election Commission, including issues affecting local authority majorities such as in Elpitiya, should be corrected. He proposed referring the Bill to the Legislative Standing Committee for expedited review.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary The Member stated that no debate was intended at the First Reading stage of the Bill, which had been presented with advice from the Attorney-General’s Department. He noted that substantive debate and consideration of proposals could take place during the Second Reading, Third Reading, and Committee Stage.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Moved for approval the items numbered 1 through 8 and 10 on the day’s Order Paper. Stated that Item No. 9 would not be moved that day.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB
AI summary Moved approval of the Order made under Section 14 of the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, No. 40 of 1979, relating to the CESS levy and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2400/25 of 5 September 2024. The motion was presented on behalf of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, with Cabinet approval signified.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved several items for parliamentary approval, including Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, the Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme under the Welfare Benefits Act, and an Order under the Strategic Development Projects Act. The motion was then put to the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 4 Debate Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions 57 speeches
- 5 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices 72 speeches