Executive committee system will be re-established - PM

• Draft will be prepared to set up the committees
• All MPs can contribute to issues of national importance

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says the Government is working to re-introduce the executive committee system in Parliament immediately. 

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena

In his first speech in Parliament yesterday after being appointed as Prime Minister, Gunawardena said steps will be taken to formulate the draft necessary to set up the executive committee system. According to Gunawardena through the executive committee, all Parliamentarians will be given an opportunity to represent their committees and contribute by assisting to address issues of national importance, development and the passing of necessary legal provisions. 

Gunawardena pointed out that the Free Education Act was introduced to Sri Lanka through an executive committee. Noting that an executive committee in Parliament was created as far back as 1931, Gunawardena said the laws created by it continue to be in effect today and one can therefore consider it a successful system.

Commenting on the public protests the new PM said the Government is ready to listen to the demands of democratic public protesters but cannot accept acts of terrorism. Denouncing acts that can be considered as terrorism he called them the “greatest threat to democracy.” 

“The Parliament which upholds democracy would not support such acts of terrorism,” he said adding that while there could be different political ideologies the Parliament should work in unison to address the issues faced by the people.