PAPERS PRESENTED Supplementary Estimates Nos. 74, 75, 76 and 84 of 1956-5-[Hon. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike.] Ordered to lie upon the Table. Supplementary Estimate No. 81 of 1956-57.-[Hon. P. H. W. de Silva on behalf of Hon. Dahanayake.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table. Supplementary Estimate No. 82 of 1956-57.-[Hon. C. P. de Silva.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table. Supplementary Estimates Nos. 77 and 78 of 1956-57.-[Hon. Stanley de Zoysa.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table.

(1) Food Control Orders Nos. 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67 of 6th April, 1957; 16th April, 1957; 10th May, 1957; and 21st May, 1957; respectively, made under Sections 4 (1) (i); 4 (1) (iv) ; 4 (1) (v) ; and 4 (1) (vi) of the Food Control Act, No. 25 of 1950.

(2) Regulation made under Section 6 of the Food Control Act, No. 25 of 1950.

(3) The Audited Accounts of the Tea Control Fund for the year 195556.-[Hon. D. P. R. Gunawardena.] Ordered to lie upon the Table. Supplementary Estimate No. 79 of 1956-57.-[Hon. Marikkar on behalf of Hon. Ilangaratne.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table.

(1) Regulation made by the Kankesanturai Town Council under Section 16 (2) (1) of the Vehicles Ordinance (Cap. 155).

(2) Two sets of by-laws made under Sections

143 (b) and 166; and
166 and 170

of the Town Councils Ordinance, No. 3 of 1946-[Hon, Jayaweera Kuruppu.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table. Supplementary Estimate No. 80 of 1956-57.-[Hon. Marikkar.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table.

Estimates of Income and Expenditure of the Ceylon Coconut Board for 1957. [Hon. R. G. Senanayake.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table. Supplementary Estimate No. 83 of 1956-57.-[Hon. Maithripala Senanayeke.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table.

Report of the Committee of Inquiry on the working of the Hospital Lotteries, Act-Sessional Paper XI of 1957. [Hon. Vimala Wijewardene.]

Ordered to lie upon the Table.

(1) Order made by the Minister of Home Affairs under sub-section (1) of Section 3A of the Gaming Ordinance (Cap. 38).

(2) Regulation made by the Minister of Home Affairs under Section 5 (1) of the Holidays Ordinance (Cap. 135) relating to making 15th April, 1957, a holiday for the Customs Department.-[Mr. Samaraweera.] Ordered to lie upon the Table.

the introduction of the Official Language Act, a certain amount of labour unrest, and grievances expressed by a certain section of the Public Service caused difficulties. Externally, the situation arising from the dispute over the Suez Canal created problems of a political as well as an economic nature. Notwithstanding these difficulties, My Government has steadfastly pursued the policy outlined in my Speech at the Opening of the last Session.

In foreign affairs, My Government has followed a policy of nonalignment while developing and maintaining friendly relations with all countries. Diplomatic relations have been established with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the People's Republic of China, and Canada. Steps have already been taken with a view to the establishment of diplomatic relations with a number of other countries.

Trade Agreements were signed with the Governments of Bulgaria, China, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Maldive Islands, Pakistan, Poland, Rumania, Spain and Yugoslavia. These Trade Agreements will be followed by action to diversify our foreign trade.

My Prime Minister, in his capacity as the Minister of External Affairs, led a delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation in November, 1956. In keeping with the accepted foreign policy, this delegation played an active role in the promotion of peace and friendly relations between nations, the settlement of disputes by negotiation, and the demand for the freedom of subjectpeoples.

The Premier of the People's Republic of China, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, and the Prime Minister of Japan were amongst the distinguished visitors to our country during the last few months. My Prime Minister took the opportunity of discussing problems of common interest with

these Statesmen. Joint Communiques were issued in regard to the discussions with each of them. I am confident that the general measure of agreement realised in the discussions with them will strengthen Ceylon's friendly relations with their countries. The general policy represented by these actions will be vigorously pursued with the object of promoting world peace and international co-operation.

To further facilitate its full participation in International Affairs, My Government will take early action to reorganise its Department of External Affairs and the Foreign Service, with equal emphasis on the political and the trade aspects.

Satisfactory arrangements have been concluded to take over from the Government of the United Kingdom the Naval Base at Trincomalee and the Air-Staging-Post at Katunayake.

The disposal of applications of Indian residents under the Indian and Pakistani Residents (Citizenship) Act has been greatly expedited and is now almost completed. My Government is confident that, with the goodwill existing between India and Ceylon, a satisfactory solution at an early date will be possible.

A Select Committee of the House of Representatives, appointed to consider amendments to the Election Law, has presented its report. Early steps will be taken to implement My Government's decisions on its recommendations.

You have approved a motion to appoint a Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to consider a revision of the Constitution with particular reference, amongst other matters, to the establishment of a Republic, the guaranteeing of fundamental rights, and the future of the Senate, the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission. Steps will now be taken to appoint the Committee.

In order to secure greater efficiency in the administration, a large measure of decentralisation will be achieved by the establishment of Regional Councils. A Bill for this purpose has been prepared and will be presented for your consideration.

My Government proposes, with expert advice from abroad, to prepare a scheme for the reorganisation of the Public Service with a view to removal, as far as possible, of existing differences and divisions, and the establishment of a unified Administrative Service. A Commission has been appointed to examine and report on anomalies arising from the implementation of the Report of the Salaries and Cadres Commission of 1953 and such other urgent cases of hardship as may be referrel to it.

On assumption of office, My Government gave an assurance that it would review the cases of those public servants who had been dealt with under undemocratic regulations. The officers concerned have been re-employed in 'the Public Service. My Government has given due recognition to trade unions of public servants. It will continue to promote the further growth of Trade Unionism by permitting the amalgamation and affiliation of such unions.

A Bill to suspend the Death Penalty for the offence of Murder, which failed to pass into law during the last Session, will be re-introduced. It is proposed to establish conciliation boards in rural areas to help in the amicable settlement of disputes. Consideration will be given to steps to facilitate the partition of land and registration of title. Amendments to the Bribery Act to make it more effective are under consideration.

A National Planning Council, charged with the duty of preparing overall plans for the country's development, has been established by Statute. This body is now engaged on the tasks entrusted to it. A preliminary report will be