Parliament convened today (06) at 9.30 am and t few announcements were made by the Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the Speaker.

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The Hon. Speaker informed the house that he received the Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “ANTI–CORRUPTION” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution.

The determination of the Supreme Court as to the constitutionality of the Bill titled “ANTI–CORRUPTION” is as follows:—

Clauses 1, 2(1)(f), 2(2), 3(2), 4(1)(a), 4(1)(b), 4(3), 17(1), 21, 31(2), 163(2)(h), 40, 48(3), 49(1)(f), 50(1)(a), 53(1), 62(1), 65, 67(5), 71(6) & (8), 80, 93, 99, 101, 112, 149 and 162 of the Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution.

However, these inconsistencies will cease if the amendments as set out in the Determination of the Supreme Court are made to the Bill.

In addition to the said amendments, the Supreme Court has held that the learned Additional Solicitor General has informed the Court that amendments to Clauses 8(3), 136, 141, 142, and 156 of the Bill as set out in the Determination will be made to address several concerns raised by the Petitioners.

In addition, the Hon. Speaker informed that he received the determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment)” which was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution.

Subject to the proposed amendment to Clause 3 and deletion of Clause 4 of the Bill, the Supreme Court has determined that the Bill or any of its provisions is not inconsistent with the Constitution.

The Speaker also informed that the following Members of Parliament under the Chair of the Hon. (Dr.) Ramesh Pathirana have been appointed to serve in the “Select Committee of Parliament to investigate into and to make suitable recommendations relating to the disasters caused by New Diamond and X-press Pearl Vessels in the Maritime Zone of Sri Lanka”.

Accordingly, Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan, Hon. (Mrs.) Diana Gamage, Hon. (Prof.) G. L. Peiris, Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law, Hon. Vijitha Herath , Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera, Hon. Niroshan Perera , Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Hon. Thushara Indunil Amarasena, Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardena, Hon. Akila Ellawala, Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Attorney-at Law have been appointed to serve in this committee.

The Speaker Hon Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena also informed that the following Members have also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in each Sectoral Oversight Committee, in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 111 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 21st November 2022:—

Accordingly,  Hon. (Mrs.) Kokila Gunawardene has been appointed for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Religious Affairs and  Co-Existence, Hon. Marjan Faleel for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Reconciliation and National Unity, Hon. Johnston Fernando for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Attorney at Law for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations, Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis, Hon. A. L. M. Athaullah for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy & Transport, Hon. C. B. Rathnayake for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security & Agriculture, Hon. Jayantha Ketagoda for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Sustainable Development, Hon. Gamini Lokuge for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Foreign Employment & Labour, Hon. (Mrs.) Muditha Prishanthi for the  Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Hon. S. M. M. Muszhaaraff, Attorney at Law for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender, Hon. Thisakutti Arachchi for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Media, Youth, Heritage and New Citizen, Hon. Jayantha Weerasinghe, PC for the  Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open & Accountable Government .

The Speaker also announced that the Hon. A. L. M. Athaullah, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Committee on Parliamentary Business, in terms of the provisions of the Standing Order 115 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 10th February 2023.

Furthermore, speaker announced, that the Hon. Milan Jayathilake, Member of Parliament has also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 122 of the Parliament and the motion agreed to by Parliament on 10th February 2023.

The Speaker Hon Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena also announced that, notwithstanding the provisions of the Standing Order 118 of the Parliament and the motion adopted by Parliament on 10th February 2023, the following Members have also been nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve in the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, as per the motion adopted by Parliament on 26th May 2023:—

Accordingly, Hon. Johnston Fernando, Hon. R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Hon. (Mrs.) Thalatha Athukorala, Attorney at Law have been nominated to serve in the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.