News

Parliamentary schedule from August 17

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/13

The Committee on Parliamentary Business recently decided to set aside time from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm on September 06 and 27 for 68 questions for oral answers which were unable to be asked due to various reasons, Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said.

It was also decided at the CPB chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to hold four sitting days from 17th August to 20th August, the Secretary General said.

Accordingly, Parliament will convene on August 17 at 10.00 am and from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm and take up for debate Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions) Bill, Regulations under the Value Added Tax Act No. 14 of 2002, 06 Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act No. 48 of 2007 and 05 Orders under the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act No. 18 of 2011.

On the same day time has been allotted for Questions at the Adjournment Time from 4.30 pm to 4.50 pm and Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the government will be taken up for debate from 4.50pm to 5.30 pm.

On August 18, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka Bill, 03 Orders under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, 02 Resolutions under the Section 10 of the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235) will be taken up for debate.

Thereafter, time has been allotted for Questions at the Adjournment Time from 4.30 pm to 4.50 pm and Motion at the Adjournment Time moved by the opposition will be taken up for debate from 4.50pm to 5.30 pm.

The Registrar of Electors (Amendment) Bill was scheduled to be passed without debate on August 19 from 11.00 am to 12.00 noon, the Secretary General said. Thereafter, the Adjournment motion moved by the Opposition on “Current Problems in the Field of Education in Sri Lanka” will be debated from 12.00 noon to 5.30 pm.

On the 20th the adjournment debate on the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report for the year 2021 will be held from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm on a motion moved by the Government.

The Secretary General also said that during the four sitting days, time would be allotted from 10.00 am to 11.00 am for ‘Questions for Oral Answers’ of the MPs.

Meanwhile, the Committee decided to close the time allotted for Questions for Oral Answers by 11.00 am. It was also decided to give 05 minutes to the party leader who asks questions under Standing Order 27 (2) and 05 minutes to the relevant Minister if he answers them.

The Committee on Parliamentary Business also decided to appoint a special committee chaired by the Prime Minister and consisting of five other Members of Parliament to look into matters which were not currently under the purview of any Ministry that are presented to Parliament, the Secretary General said.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

6 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

Latest News

Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.