PM’s Special Statement, R2I and Debate on Political Prisoners in Parliament Today

Parliament meets today at 1300 hrs under the Chairmanship of speaker Karu Jeyasuriya. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will deliver a special statement in Parliament today regarding country’s economic situation, development initiatives and relevant projects in the island. Followed by this an adjournment debate moved by the Leader of the Opposition, R.Sampanthan on political prisoners will be  debated.

Minister of Public Enterprise Development Kabhir Hashim said, details of debts under the previous tenure of the United People’s Freedom Alliance led government will also be included in the statement.

The Minister of Finance recently revealed unaccounted funds amounting to billions of rupees under the UPFA led government.

A special Cabinet meeting was held a few days ago over potential measures by the government to pay off the country’s large debt.

The Cabinet had decided to amend some of the taxes for debt repayment in a manner, which will not affect the lives of the lower or middle class.

Accordingly, Premier Wickremesinghe will announce  details of all the amendments in Parliament today.

Meanwhile, the Right to Information draft bill will also be presented in Parliament today.

Amendments have also been made to Parliamentary sessions commencing from today.

Parliamentary sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1pm to 6.30pm as usual, while Parliamentary sessions on Thursdays and Fridays will be held from 10am to 6.30pm.