New SEC Bill debate in Parliament next week

Friday, 13 August 2021 03:34 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

  • Bill scheduled for debate on 18 August 
  • Adjournment debate on Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report – 2021 on 20 August

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Bill, which seeks to regulate the capital market in keeping with current international best practices, will be taken up for debate on 18 August.

The bill is likely to be debated and passed the same day. It was to be taken up last week but was deferred. Parliament will meet for four days next week, from Tuesday to Friday, the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena decided yesterday.

An adjournment debate, moved by the Government, on the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report for the year 2021 will take place on 20 August, Parliament officials said.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Temporary Provisions) Bill to provide relief to those affected by disruption caused by the pandemic such as inability to perform contractual obligations or exercise contractual rights as well as to conduct court proceedings using remote communication technology will be taken up for debate next Tuesday.

Under the provisions of the bill, which will be valid for a period of two years, the relief will cover those who have obtained loans from licensed banks or finance companies, where such facility is secured, wholly or partially, against any commercial or industrial immovable property or against any plant, machinery, or fixed asset used for manufacturing, production, or other business purposes.

Several finance regulations are also slated for debate this week as well as an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition on the current problems in the field of education in Sri Lanka.

Question times will be strictly limited to an hour each sitting day from 10 to 11 a.m., the Committee decided.

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

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