Yapa Abeywardana: Latest News

Colombo (News1st) – Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana says the letter submitted by a group of Parliamentarians stating that the National Election Commission violated their privileges, will be forwarded to the Committee on Parliamentary Business.He stated it will be submitted to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee based on the decision taken by the party leaders.The Speaker said the Parliamentary Privileges Committee has not yet been appointed for the new Parliament session.The Speaker said therefore the letter will be presented at the next party leaders meeting.He added, a group of MPs submitted the letter to him on Thursday (9).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Canadian business community has accorded support to the development of Sri Lanka's economy to overcome the economic crisis.This was accorded at the meeting on Thursday (03), between Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament and a group of Canadian business leaders in Parliament. The Canadian business community said that they hope to increase their friendship with Sri Lanka and also expressed their desire to support the young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka to build their enterprises.Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament addressing the delegation, said that they will work expeditiously to bring about the development of the country. The speaker showed that the support of Canada's business leaders is also important for this purpose and pointed out the need for cooperation between the two sides.Furthermore, the speaker told the delegation present that an Overseas Sri Lankan Coordination Secretariat to help expatriates is in the process of being established in Sri Lanka and the necessary discussions are currently underway and that he hopes to get the support of each party for economic development.The Minister of Education and Leader of the House of Parliament, (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha was also present at this event and he pointed out the need to increase the friendship between the two parties.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera informed the National Council that the report of the committee on to the restructuring of the energy sector will be submitted to the National Council within two weeks.At the same time, the Minister informed that the National Council is also expected to be informed about the proposed measures to be taken for the various energy generation projects proposed to be launched by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and the Ceylon Electricity Board.The National Council met on 20th October under the Chairmanship of the Speaker of the Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella.Institutions such as the Sri Lanka Electricity Board and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority were called before the National Council where the officials presented ideas and proposals related to the progress of the energy sector.MP Namal Rajapaksa, as the Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to National Policy, and the Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to Economic Stabilization, Patali Champika Ranawaka informed the National Council about the progress and the expected future work of the committees.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – First Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2023 is scheduled to be presented on Tuesday (18).This was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held previously (07) under the chairmanship of Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament.From 18th to 21st time is allotted from 9.30 am to 10.30 for Questions for Oral Answers.It was decided to hold the debate on the Second Reading of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm on the 18th of October.Thereafter, time has been allotted from 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm for the Motion at the Adjournment Time brought in by the Government, the Secretary General said.The Committee also decided to take into debate 6 Bills presented by the Ministry of Justice on October 19th from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm. Accordingly, Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs’ (Amendment) Bill, Notaries Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Powers of Attorney Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Wills Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Registration of Documents (Amendment) Bill, Prevention of Frauds Ordinance (Amendment) bill are scheduled to be taken up for debate.From 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm time has been set aside for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On October 20th and 21st from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm, the Second Reading debate on the Twenty- Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill is scheduled to be held.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament announced to the House on Monday (03) that the following Members have been nominated with the Deputy Speaker as the Chair and the Deputy Chairperson of Committees by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Legislative Standing Committee.Accordingly,  • Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva • Sisira Jayakody • (Prof.) G. L.