Debate on National Council resolution in Parliament today

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – The Parliamentary debate on the establishment of the National Council is scheduled to take place today.

Parliament is scheduled to convene at 9.30am.

Accordingly, the resolution of the government to constitute the Parliament Committee named the National Council will be debated until 5.30pm.

The National Council will consist of the Speaker as the Chair, the Prime Minister, Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the Chief Government Whip and not more than thirty-five (35) Members of Parliament representing the Ninth Parliament as determined by the leaders of the political parties.

Accordingly, the National Council will have the jurisdiction and general responsibilities in order to determine the general priorities of Parliament to guide the formulation of short, medium and long-term national policies, agree on short and medium-term common minimum programmes in respect of the stabilization of the economy and arrange special meetings with Cabinet Ministers, the National Council, the Chairpersons of the Special Committees and Youth observers of Youth Organizations.

The National Council will also have powers to request reports from Sectoral Oversight Committees, the Committee on Public Finance, the Committee on Public Accounts, the Committee on Public Enterprises, the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Economic Stabilization; and any Committee controlling Public Finance.