MPs must engage to improve Ministerial Consultative Committees: PM

 Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Consultative Committee Meeting with State Minister of Money, Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal, State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment, and Business Development Shehan Semasinghe, Assistant Secretary General (ASG) of Parliament Tikiri K. Jayathilake and other officials

• Says system must be strengthened so MPs can work closely with different ministries
• Wants MPs to be more proactive by participating in committee meetings

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday called on Parliamentarians to be more proactive in engaging with Ministerial Consultative Committees to make them more effective and productive.

During a recent Consultative Committee meeting of the Finance Ministry, the Prime Minister said that through this system Members of Parliament could learn more of the legal and policymaking process as well as how to engage in a more proactive manner.

Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri K. Jayathilake said that these Consultative Committees had the potential to go beyond the traditional system and operate more efficiently and effectively in the future.

Jayathilake said it was possible for the members of the Legislature to have a better relationship with the Executive through this committee system and that it could help to elevate the level of Parliament in the international rankings as well.

The Assistant Secretary General also briefed the Prime Minister and other Ministers on the possibility of convening the relevant parties and holding a broader dialogue between the officials and the people’s representatives when the committees discuss certain issues.

State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment, and Business Development Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Deputy Chairperson of Committees Angajan Ramanathan and MPs Harsha de Silva, Ranjith Bandara, Sudath Manjula and Sahan Pradeep were present at this committee meeting.

In addition, Ministry of Finance Secretary to the Treasury S.R. Attygalle and other senior officials of the Ministry of Finance were also present.