News
Five days of parliament sittings next week
By Saman Indrajith
It had been decided at the party leaders’ meeting yesterday to hold parliament sittings on five days next week, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.
Minsiter Fernando said that the usual sitting week should have been only for four days from Tuesday to Friday but Monday too had been included to enable opposition MPs to raise questions because some of their questions had been deferred during the past few weeks due to time constraints.
Minister Fernando said that the Leader of the House, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had informed the meeting that the government would present the Appropriation Bill for the year 2022 during the next sitting week.
The party leaders’ meeting was held at the Parliamentary complex yesterday with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena presiding.
Minister Fernando said that the entire day on Monday (Oct 4) had been set aside as a special sitting day for Questions for Oral Answers. Time had been allocated from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm. for 40 questions which were earlier postponed due to various reasons.
Parliament will meet on Tuesday (5) at 10.00 am and from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm Regulations and Order under the Value Added Tax Act, Regulations and Order under the Inland Revenue Act, an Order under the Finance Act are listed for debate.
The Petroleum Resources Bill (Second Reading) will be taken up for debate on Wednesday (6) from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm.
On Thursday (7) from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), Employees’ Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), an Order under the Employees Provident Fund is scheduled to be taken up for debate.
The Adjournment debate on the Mid-Year Financial Position Report for the year 2021 will be taken up for debate on Friday (8) from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm.
Time has also been allotted for Questions at the Adjournment Time from Tuesday to Thursday from 4.30 pm to 4.50 pm. The Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Government will be on Tuesday and Thursday from 4.50 pm to 5.30 pm whilst the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition will be on Wednesday.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
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