Next week’s parliamentary sittings limited to two days

Parliamentary sittings for the next week have been limited to two days, according to the Chief Government Whip, Minister Johnston Fernando.

Accordingly, the parliament will convene on Tuesday (Sep. 21) and Wednesday (Sep. 22).

The decision has been taken during the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

The Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake stated that the Consumer Affairs Authority (Amendment) Bill Second Reading will be taken up for debate on the 22nd as decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

It was also decided to conduct Parliamentary sittings for the next week only on the 21st and 22nd of September taking into account the current COVID-19 pandemic, he further stated.

Parliament Sittings will be held on Tuesday the 21st at 10.00 a.m. and time has been allotted in taking up Questions for oral Answers from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 

Accordingly, from 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. a notification under Excise Ordinance, Five Orders under the Ports & Airports Development Levy Act, Six Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, Three Regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act, Order under the Foreign Exchange Act, Regulation under the Imports & Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 have also been scheduled to be taken up for debate.

Time has also been allotted from 4.30 p.m. to 4.50 p.m. for Questions at the Adjournment Time and the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Government will be from 4.50 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. 

On the 22nd of September the Consumer Affairs Authority (Amendment) Bill and Regulations under the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance are scheduled to be approved post being taken up for debate.

Accordingly, time has been allotted from 4.30 p.m. to 4.50 p.m. for Questions at the Adjournment Time and the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition will be from 4.50 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. 

Though previously it was decided to separate Monday, the 27th for Questions for Oral Answers, it was decided to set aside Monday, October 04th as a special sitting day for Questions for Oral Answers given the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic the Secretary General of Parliament added.