The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 Sectoral Oversight Committees

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 03 “That, in terms of Standing Order 111, seven (07) Sectoral Oversight Committees be appointed as follows: (1) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (2) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development (3) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Human Capital (4) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment (5) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability (6) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation (7) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security

¶ 04 Each Committee shall consist of twelve (12) Members nominated by the Committee of Selection. The quorum shall be three (03) Members.”

¶ 05 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 06 Hon. Speaker, the Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and International Relations will be held by the Government; Infrastructure and Strategic Development by the Opposition; Education, Labour Force and Human Capital by the Opposition; Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment by the Government; Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability by the Opposition; Science, Technology and Digital Transformation by the Government; and Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security by the Government.

¶ 07 Hon. Speaker, I draw your attention to Standing Order 91(f), which provides that if any Member uses insulting or improper words while speaking or being present in the House, the Speaker shall order such Member to conform to order and direct that the words be expunged from the Hansard. A message has been conveyed to the Hon. Prime Minister reporting that an MP directed extreme sexual vilification at Attorney-at-Law Swasthika Arulingam, in breach of Standing Order 91(f). We request that this be inquired into and appropriate action taken under the Standing Orders.