House to debate Port City Economic Commission Bill on May 5

Parliament sittings will only be held on May 4 and 5, as per a decision reached by the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, which met his morning (30). 

Accordingly, it has been decided to debate the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill on May 5 from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm during the entire day, said the Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake.

Mr. Dasanayake also said that an adjournment debate on the current situation in the country in the face of COVID-19 would be held on May 4 from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm.

The Secretary General also said that no time would be allotted for oral questions of MPs on both sitting days and for questions under Standing Order 27(2).

The party leaders agreed to pass an order under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, four notifications under the Excise Ordinance, the Value Added Tax (VAT) (Amendment) Bill and the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill on May 4 after debating same from 10.00 am to 11.00 am. 

Thereafter, the adjournment debate on the current situation in the country will be held from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm without adjournment for lunch, the Secretary General said.

Mr. Dasanayake also said that the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill will be taken up for debate on May 5 from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm without adjournment for lunch.

Leader of the House and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Chief Government Whip and Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, Cabinet Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva and Prof. GL Peiris , Dallas Alahapperuma, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Prasanna Ranatunga, MPs Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Gayantha Karunatilake, Dilan Perera and Mano Ganeshan were present at the meeting.