Debate on “National Council” in Parliament today

The Resolution to constitute the Parliament Committee designated “National Council” is scheduled to be debated today from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., following which, the approval of the Parliament is to be obtained.

The Resolution to constitute the Parliament Committee designated “National Council” has been included in the Addendum to the Order book.

The National Council will consist of the Speaker as the Chair, Prime Minister, Leader of the House of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Chief Government Whip and not more than 35 Parliament Members representing the ninth Parliament from recognised political parties in Sri Lanka as determined by the leaders of the political parties. 

The National Council shall have the jurisdiction and general responsibilities in order to: 

• Determine the general priorities of Parliament to guide the formulation of short-, medium- and long-term national policies
• Agree on short- and medium-term common minimum programs in respect of the stabilisation of the economy
• Arrange special meetings with Ministers of the Ministers Cabinet, the National Council, and Chairpersons of the Special Committees and youth observers of youth organisations

The National Council shall have powers to request reports from Sectoral Oversight Committees, Committee on Public Finance, Committee on Public Accounts, Committee on Public Enterprises, Committee on Banking and Financial Services, Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Economic Stabilisation; and any committee controlling public finance.

Parliament is scheduled to meet from 20- 23 September and Questions for Oral Answers have been scheduled to be taken up from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. except Friday, 23 Sept.

The adjournment debate brought by the Government on the “Necessity of increasing the Government Revenues” will be held tomorrow.

On Wednesday, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) and Regulations under the Civil Aviation Act are to be passed following debate.

On Friday, condolence on the demise of Queen Elizabeth II is scheduled to be taken up followed by the continuation of the vote of condolence on the late MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala.