Two-day debate on President’s policy statement

Party leaders yesterday decided to allocate a two-day debate on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy statement scheduled to be delivered at the commencement of the new session of Parliament on 18 Jan.

Leader of the House Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told The Island that the motion for the debate would be moved by the government.

The party leaders met yesterday with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena at the parliament complex and decided to allot sitting days, Jan 19 and 20, for an adjournment debate on President Rajapaksa’s policy statement, formerly known as the throne speech.

Both the UNP and SJB had requested an adjournment debate on the President’s Policy Statement.

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella have made separate requests in writing to Speaker Abeywardena and Leader of the House Minister Gunawardena that an adjournment debate be held on the Presidential policy statement.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa prorogued Parliament from Dec 12. The House is scheduled to reconvene on Jan 18.

As per Westminster traditions and in accordance with constitutional provisions, the President presents the government’s policy statement at the ceremonial first session of Parliament when it meets after a prorogation.

Minister Gunawardena said that the government would also present four new bills on Jan 20. The bills would be an amendment to the Civil Procedure Code Act No 15 of 1979, Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines Bill, a bill to amend the Judicature Act No 2 of 1978, and a bill to amend the Civil Procedure Code (Chapter 101).

In addition the party leaders also decided to take up the condolence vote on former Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Jan 21.