National Council initiates two subcommittees on economy and national policies

• PM says formation of council is good news
• Claims it opens doors to advance parliamentary programs, and to strengthen trust between people and P’ment
• SLFP, NPP and Opposition leader a no-show at inaugural meeting 

The National Council at its inaugural meeting has proposed the appointment of two sub-committees on national policies and economic stabilisation. 

The National Council consisting of MPs from both the Government and the Opposition conducted its inaugural meeting under the patronage of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena at the Parliament complex yesterday. 

In a release, the Sri Lanka Parliament said the purpose of setting up the Sub-Committee on National Policy is to set the common priorities of Parliament to guide the formulation of medium and long-term national policies. Also, the purpose of establishing the Sub-Committee on Economic Stabilisation is to reach an agreement on the short- and medium-term programs related to economic stabilisation.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Leader of the House Minister Susil Premajayantha, Chief Government Whip Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, Minister Tiran Alas, MPs Asanka Navaratne, Rauf Hakeem, Rishad Badiuddin, Mano Ganesan, Palani Digambaram, Jeevan Thondaman, Sisira Jayakodi, Namal Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, Sagara Kariyawasam, Ali Sabri Rahim, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Vajira Abeywardena, Sivaneshthurai Chandrakanthan, Champika Ranawaka and several other members of Parliament were present. 

Noticeably absent were Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party or any of its members, the National People’s Power party and other key figures such as MPs Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Udaya Gammanpila. 

The National Council was formed on a proposal made by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Following the first meeting of the National Council, Gunawardena said that both the ruling party and the Opposition had attended the meeting. He said that this good news as a new door has now been opened nationally, to advance the parliamentary program, and to strengthen the trust between the people and the Parliament.

The National Council will meet Thursday of every sitting week. It consists of a total of 32 members representing various political parties in Parliament.