Sri Lanka Parliament to Sit from June 23–26 with Key Bills and Debates Scheduled

Acting Secretary General Hansa Abeyratne has announced that Parliament will convene from June 23 to June 26.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Business Committee, chaired by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

According to the schedule, daily sittings will include allocated time for parliamentary business under Standing Order 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by oral questions from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and questions under Standing Order 27(2) from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

On Tuesday, June 23, Parliament will take up the Second Reading of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill. The House will also consider two Orders issued under the Special Commodity Levy Act and regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act. These items are scheduled for debate from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Later that day, the Second Reading of the Private Member’s Bill titled “Current Protection Act (Repeal) Bill,” presented by MP Ravi Karunanayake, will be referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation without debate at 5:00 p.m. An Opposition adjournment motion will also be taken up from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, June 24, the Second Reading debate of the National Environment (Amendment) Bill is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by questions at adjournment from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On Thursday, June 25, the House will debate an adjournment motion on combating the drug menace, brought forward by the ruling party, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On Friday, June 26, Parliament will debate an order issued under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The remaining time, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., has been allocated for the continuation of the adjournment debate on combating the drug menace, which began earlier in May.