Parliament to Convene from February 5 to 7 with Key Debates Scheduled

The Parliament of Sri Lanka is set to meet from Wednesday, February 5, to Friday, February 7, according to Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera. The parliamentary agenda for the week was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held on January 23, chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

On February 5, parliamentary proceedings will begin at 9:30 a.m. with time allocated for Business of Parliament, followed by a session for Questions to the Prime Minister at 10:00 a.m. and Questions for Oral Answers at 10:30 a.m. A debate on an Order under the Foreign Exchange Act and two Regulations under the Imports and Exports Control Act will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The session will conclude with an Adjournment Debate moved by the government until 5:30 p.m.

On February 6, the day will start with Business of Parliament at 9:30 a.m., followed by a session for Questions for Oral Answers and Standing Order 27(2) questions. A debate on Regulations under the Intellectual Property Act will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a session for Questions at the Adjournment Time from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On February 7, parliamentary proceedings will follow a similar schedule in the morning, with the afternoon dedicated to debates on six private members' motions, including proposals on estate roads acquisition, cooperative procurement programs, maintaining a government rice reserve, labor welfare officer appointments, the abolition of the MPs’ pension scheme, and a parliamentary committee on COVID-19 cremation policies. An Adjournment Motion moved by the opposition will conclude the session.

Additionally, if the Supreme Court delivers its ruling on the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill before February 5, the second reading debate on the bill will be included in the February 6 agenda.