Parliament to convene for four days next week

The next sittings of the parliament will take place from February 22 to 25, says the Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The decision was taken at the meeting of party leaders chaired by Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena earlier today.

Accordingly, Parliament will convene on February 22 at 10.00 a.m. Regulations under the Licensing of Produce Brokers Act and Regulations under the Rubber Replanting Subsidy Act are scheduled to be taken up for debate and passed from 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

It was agreed to hold the adjournment debate on February 23 from 11.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on a motion moved by the Opposition.

Five Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, Order under the Strategic Development Projects Act, Fauna and Flora Protection (Amendment) Bill and Order under the Felling of Trees (Control) Act are scheduled for the 24th of February to be taken for debate and passed from 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

On the February 25, from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Votes of condolence on several late Members of Parliament will be taken up in Parliament.

A vote of condolence for late Ananda Ratnayake of Polonnaruwa District, late R. R. W. Rajapakse of Kurunegala District, late Somaweera Chandrasiri, of Colombo District, late P. B. Dissanayake of Anuradhapura District, late H. R. Mithrapala, of Kegalle District will be taken up under a 75-minute time allocation for each.

Accordingly, Questions for Oral Answers for the day, questions by party leaders under Standing Order 27 (2), Questions at the Adjournment Time and Motions at the Adjournment Time will not be held on the said date.

Time has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers every day from February 22 to 24 from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Furthermore, time has been allotted on February 22 and 24 from 4.30 p.m. to 4.50 p.m. for the purpose of Questions at the Adjournment Time whilst 4.50 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allotted for Motion at the Adjournment Time.