Parliament Business Committee meets today amidst COVID-19 fears

• At least 14 MPs including Speaker have tested positive for COVID-19 after January sittings
• 47 MPs in all have tested positive so far
• Committee meeting to discuss additional health guidelines for legislature
• Four sitting days scheduled for this week
• Special GST Bill set for debate on Thursday

By Chandani Kirinde

A special meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business is scheduled for today to discuss additional health guidelines to be adopted at the Legislature after 14 MPs including Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena tested positive for COVID-19 last month.

All 14 MPs were confirmed as COVID-19 positive after 18 January when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa opened a  new session of the House following which sittings were held for three successive days to debate his policy statement.

Parliament officials said the Business Committee which is chaired by the Speaker is scheduled  to meet today to discuss the holding of sittings in accordance with relevant health guidelines in the face of the prevailing COVID  situation.

At least 47 MPs have tested  positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Meanwhile Parliament sittings for February will commence tomorrow and are to continue till Friday.

Among the Bills listed for debate are the Special Goods and Services Tax Bill as well as the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill.

The Special GST Bill has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the Court’s determination is due to be sent to the Speaker ahead of the debate which is scheduled for Thursday.

The Vote of Condolence  on late MP Mangala Samaraweera is scheduled for Friday.

The first meeting of the newly named members to the Committee on Public Finance will also be held tomorrow where they will elect its chairperson. SLPP MP Anura Priyadharshan Yapa is among the 21 members appointed to the Committee but it is uncertain if he will be reappointed to the post.