Mr. Speaker - The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne

¶ 01 The Parliament met at 9.30 a.m.

¶ 02 Announcements

¶ 03 Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill: Petition to the Supreme Court

¶ 04 In addition to my announcement dated 19th May, 2026, under Article 121(1) of the Constitution, I wish to inform Parliament that I have received a copy of a petition submitted to the Supreme Court in respect of the “Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment)” Bill.

¶ 05 Procedure Adopted in Scheduling Questions for Oral Answers in Order Paper

¶ 06 Taking into account concerns raised by certain Hon. Members regarding the procedure currently followed in scheduling Questions for Oral Answers in the Order Paper, and in keeping with the decision reached at the Committee on Parliamentary Business on 27.11.2025, the Office of the Secretary-General of Parliament prepared a detailed report on “the procedure for fixing dates and scheduling questions for oral answers in the Order Paper.”

¶ 07 At the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business on 14.01.2026, after considering that report and obtaining the views of Members who raised concerns, it was further decided to obtain the recommendations of the Backbenchers’ Committee. Accordingly, at the meeting of the Backbenchers’ Committee held on 04.03.2026, with the participation of concerned Members and after extensive discussion, agreement was reached to continue the existing procedure as set out in the report prepared by the Office of the Secretary-General of Parliament. The report of the Backbenchers’ Committee was considered at the Committee on Parliamentary Business on 08.05.2026 and approved, with a decision to inform all Hon. Members accordingly.

¶ 08 Therefore, as both the Backbenchers’ Committee and the Committee on Parliamentary Business have agreed to the current procedure for fixing dates and scheduling Questions for Oral Answers in the Order Paper, it will continue to be implemented henceforth. I kindly seek the cooperation of Hon. Members to proceed on this basis.