A Private Member’s Motion submitted by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Imran Maharoof calling for the establishment of a Commission to investigate the forced cremation of deceased Muslims during the COVID-19 pandemic will be debated in Parliament next week.
The motion seeks the appointment of a commission to examine the circumstances surrounding the unilateral cremation of the remains of deceased Muslims during the pandemic period.
Several other Private Members’ Motions are scheduled to be debated in Parliament next week during the sitting on Friday, July 24, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The motions scheduled for debate are:
Kanthasamy Prabu – A proposal to promote self-sufficiency in milk production.
Hector Appuhamy – A proposal to formulate a programme for the protection of mangrove ecosystems.
M.S. Uthumalebbe – A proposal to expand the railway line from Batticaloa to Pottuvil or the railway line from Matara to Kalmunai.
Dayasiri Jayasekara – A proposal to establish a system to prevent the artificial ripening of fruits using chemicals.
Susantha Kumara Nawarathna – A proposal to formulate a National Policy and Methodology for wildlife management in Sri Lanka.
Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam – A proposal to establish a special Development Fund aimed at reducing regional disparities in development.
Meanwhile, Parliament is scheduled to meet from July 21 to 24, the Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera said.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held under the chairmanship of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.
According to the schedule, parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, July 21, will begin with business under Standing Orders 22(1) to 22(6), followed by oral questions and questions under Standing Order 27(2), the Department of Communication of Parliament said.
From 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., Parliament will debate two motions submitted for approval under Standing Orders 119 and 120.
One of the motions relates to referring to the Attorney General a report by the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) regarding the scheme introduced to issue permits for importing fully electric vehicles for Sri Lankans employed overseas using foreign remittances.
The second motion seeks approval to refer matters identified through reports presented by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for further action.
An adjournment motion on the work and performance of the Committee on Public Petitions of the Tenth Parliament is scheduled to be debated from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 22, Parliament will allocate time for 50 oral questions from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., followed by questions under Standing Order 27(2) and questions at adjournment time.
On Thursday, July 23, Parliament is scheduled to debate regulations issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act through Extraordinary Gazette Notifications Nos. 2493/03 and 2493/39.
A government adjournment motion will also be taken up subsequently.
On Friday, July 24, following oral questions, Private Members’ Motions will be debated from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m, the Department of Communication of Parliament added.
