PARLIAMENT

• Committee agrees to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee with regard to the Sri Lanka Cricket under a co-chairmanship and equal membership of the ruling party and the opposition.
• Attention also paid to the COPE

It was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to convene the Parliament on Sunday the 10th December from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Thus, it has been decided to hold the second reading debate of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill and the Finance Bill on that day.

Apart from this, some amendments have been made in the parliamentary proceedings on the 22nd and 24th.

After the Questions for Oral Answers session which is to be taken from 9.30 am to 10.00 am, following Private Members Incorporation Bills will be moved to Legislative Standing Committee after the Second Reading. Accordingly, White Rose Foundation (Incorporation), Re-Awakening East Organization (Incorporation), United Christian Fellowship of Sri Lanka (Incorporation), Samadhi Health Service, Environment Agricultural, Cultural and Sport Centre (Incorporation), South Lanka Academy of Tertiary Education and Leadership Training (Incorporation) Bills are to be referred to the Legislative Standing Committee after the second reading.

Also, on 24th November, after the Committee Stage debate, which will be held from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, following Private Members Incorporation Bills will be taken for the Second Reading. Accordingly, Sahana Community Development Foundation (incorporation), Samadhi Meditation and Yoga Center (incorporation), Ruhunu Awakening Organization (incorporation) ‘Matara Season’ Organization (Incorporation) and Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka (Incorporation) Bills are to be referred to the Legislative Standing Committee following the second reading.

Attention has also been focused on the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate the irregularities in Sri Lanka cricket. The secretary general said that it was agreed to establish this committee under a co-chairmanship of the ruling party and the opposition and an equal number of committee members from the ruling party and opposition.

Also, it has been discussed at the meeting to hold the Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) meetings on Sri Lanka Cricket and to summon other institutions.  The committee also discussed that if steps are taken regarding the chairmanship of the committee, it should be done upon the decision of the committee members.