PM presents draft to form the National Council

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has tabled the draft bill pertaining to the formation of the National Council comprising all political parties in Parliament to the party leaders.

The initial draft bill towards the formation of a National Council representing Parliament was presented at the party leaders’ meeting that convened in Parliament yesterday (29).

The proposal by the government to establish Sectoral Oversight Committees was also discussed.

The Office of the Prime Minister stated that various views were exchanged, while party leaders stated that the objective should be to provide direction to reach policy decisions with the common consensus of political parties.

A decision was also reached to obtain views of political parties in writing pertaining to the National Council and the Oversight Sectoral Committees.

Accordingly, the draft bill will be amended and tabled once again at the next party leaders’ meeting that is due to be held on Friday (2) under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

The government’s proposal includes the addition of three committees to the current 17 Oversight Committees and 12 Select Committees.