Sign language interpretation for Budget debate

Party Leaders gave their approval to provide simultaneous sign language interpretation during the debate on Appropriation Bill 2022 in consideration of the Hearing-Impaired Community, the Secretary General of Parliament, Dhammika Dasanayake said.

The matter proposed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was approved by the party leaders.

Meanwhile, it has also been decided to convene Parliament at 10.00 a.m. on 9 November until 5.30 p.m. The Adjournment Debate by the Government on the three Reports presented to the Parliament by the Committee on Public Accounts on 20 July, 6 and 7 October is scheduled for the date.

It was decided to set aside the entire day on 8 November for 50 Oral Questions by MPs.

Accordingly, Parliament is scheduled to convene on 8,9,10 and 11 November and the second reading of the Appropriation Bill 2022 (Budget Speech) will be presented by Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa on 12 November at 2.00 p.m.

Thereafter, the Budget Debate will be held every day including Saturdays, except for Sundays and public holidays, until 10 Dec December.

Time has been allotted from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. on 10 November for questions for Prime Minister and from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. time has been allotted for Questions for oral answers.

Thereafter, from 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 a.m. the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill to amend the Appropriation Act, No. 7 of 2020 applicable for the financial year 2021, Regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and the Immigrants and Emigrants (Amendment) Bill have been scheduled to be passed in Parliament post-debate.

Time has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers on 11 November from 10.00 – 11.00 a.m. Thereafter, from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Termination of Employment of Workmen (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, Minimum Retirement Age of Workers Bill, Order under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, Regulations under the Land Acquisition Act have been scheduled to be taken up on the said date.

On 10 and 11 November time has been allotted for Questions at the Adjournment Time from 4.30 p.m. to 4.50 p.m. and time from 4.50 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allotted for Motion at the Adjournment Time.