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

¶ 01 The Parliament met at 9.30 a.m., Mr. Speaker in the Chair.

¶ 02 Speaker's Certificate

¶ 03 In terms of Article 79 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, I wish to inform the House that on 17th February, 2026, I endorsed my certificate on the Bills titled “Licensing of Container Yard Operators”, “Licensing of Ship Agents, Freight Forwarders, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers and Container Yard Operators (Amendment)”, and “Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal)”.

¶ 04 Select Committee to Look into and Report to Parliament on the Release of 323 Containers from the Port of Colombo without Undergoing Mandatory Physical Inspection and Submit Its Proposals and Recommendations in That Regard: Substitution of Member

¶ 05 Owing to the resignation of Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, MP, from membership of the said Select Committee, in terms of Standing Order 106, Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, MP, has been nominated to serve on that Committee.

¶ 06 Meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business

¶ 07 A meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business will be held today, Wednesday, 18th February 2026, at 1.30 p.m., in Committee Room No. 2. All Hon. Members are requested to attend.

¶ 08 Papers Presented

¶ 09 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 10 Placed in the Library.

¶ 11 Petitions

¶ 12 Petitions ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions.

¶ 13 Oral Answers to Questions

¶ 14 Question No. 4 (1576/2025): Question ordered to stand down.

¶ 15 Question No. 5 (1637/2025): Question ordered to stand down.