(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake stated that the first sitting of the 9th Parliament for the year 2021 is ready to convene from tomorrow (05) in its full capacity.
Furthermore, the Secretary General stated that all departments of the Parliament are fully functioning and that Media has been facilitated to enter the Parliament premises for the purpose of covering Parliamentary proceedings, subjected to the guidelines set out in accordance with the COVID-19 health regulations.
Adding to it, the Secretary -General also stated that a number of PCR tests were carried out randomly among the Parliament staff and none of the staff members subjected to the PCR tests were infected with COVID-19.
Accordingly, Parliament will convene till the 8th of January as decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business.
04 Bill including the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) (Amendment) Bill will be taken up on the 5th. 03 Bills will be taken up including the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill on the 6th.
In addition, the Secretary General stated that the second reading of the InteIIectuaI Property (Amendment) Bill is scheduled for the 07th and 10 orders including the Airports Development Levy Act will also be taken up.
Adding to it, the Secretary General stated that, time has been allotted for Prime Ministers questions on Wednesday, the 06 of January from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Four Orders under the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, Two Orders under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, Order under the Finance Act, Three Orders under the Strategic Development Projects, InteIIectuaI Property (Amendment) Bill are scheduled to be taken up on the 7th whilst the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Government will continue from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
The closure for the 1st sitting week of 2021 falling on the 8th be followed by the Adjournment Debate on the prevailing situation of the country by the Opposition from 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Half an hour has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday the 6th followed by the Prime Minister’s Questions Time whilst one hour has been allotted for the same on the other days respectively.
