The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I present the Annual Report of the Ranaviru Seva Authority for the year 2023.

¶ 02 I move that this Report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection.

¶ 03 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 04 Sir, I present the— (i) Annual Performance Report of the Sri Lanka Customs for the year 2024; (ii) Annual Performance Report of the Department of Census and Statistics for the year 2024; (iii) Performance Report of the Department of Public Enterprises for the year 2024; and (iv) Performance Report of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for the year 2024.

¶ 05 I move that these Reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.

¶ 06 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 07 Sir, I present the Annual Performance Report of the Educational Publications Department for the year 2024.

¶ 08 I move that this Report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital.

¶ 09 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 10 Sir, I present the Order made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under Section 2 of the Tobacco Tax Act, No. 8 of 1999, as amended, relating to Imposition of Tobacco Tax on Beedi and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2430/16 of 01st April, 2025.

¶ 11 I move that this Order be referred to the Committee on Public Finance.

¶ 12 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 13 Question 114/2024

¶ 14 COMMISSIONS APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE EASTER SUNDAY ATTACK: RECOMMENDATIONS

¶ 15 Answer:

¶ 16 (a) (i) The number of Commissions appointed to investigate the Easter Sunday attack in Sri Lanka is one.

¶ 17 (ii) Members appointed: - Supreme Court Judge Janak de Silva - Court of Appeal Judge Nishshanka Bandula Karunaratne - Retired Court of Appeal Judge Nihal Sunil Rajapakse - Retired High Court Judge Athapathu Liyanage Bandula Kumara Athapaththu - Retired Ministry Secretary W.M.M.R. Adhikari

¶ 18 (iii) By Cabinet decision dated 22.02.2021, approval was granted to present to Parliament the report titled “Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday Attacks” (No. 21/0343/301/006). Accordingly, the President’s Office presented the Report to Parliament and it was tabled on 25.02.2021. Therefore, there is no necessity to present those recommendations again since the Report is already before the House.

¶ 19 (iv) The Attorney-General is presently studying the material of the said Commission. Based on the final recommendations to be given by the Attorney-General, the present Government will take all necessary measures without hesitation. Furthermore, recommendations made by investigative bodies appointed thus far regarding the Easter Sunday attack will also be implemented appropriately in line with the Attorney-General’s advice.

¶ 20 (b) Not applicable.

¶ 21 We are conducting the investigations transparently. New facts that have emerged were presented to Parliament. Necessary actions will be taken and the public will be kept informed. There is nothing to hide; the Government of the National People’s Power has no reason to conceal anything. We will keep the people informed at the appropriate time on all matters uncovered.