News
House meets on Jan.20 with Speaker ‘expected’ to step down
View(s):Parliament will meet as scheduled on January 20, Chief Opposition Whip UNP MP John Amaratunga said.
He said the agenda for the first meeting of the Legislature after the appointment of the new President, will be set after the visit to Sri Lanka by Pope Francis is concluded.
Mr Amaratunga said the Government of new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was looking to appoint a new Speaker and expects incumbent Chamal Rajapaksa to ste
A senior Parliament official told the Sunday Times that it was not mandatory for the new Prime Minister to show he has the support of the majority of members, but if needed, this could be done by introducing a “Motion of Confidence” in the House and putting it to a vote. Under the provisions of the Constitution, the President is required to appoint the Member of Parliament most likely to command the confidence of Parliament as Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, a group of UPFA Legislators who held a press briefing yesterday, said they would extend their support to the 100-Day Programme of President Maithripala Sirisena’s Government.
The UPFA holds a majority in Parliament with over 130 members in the 225-Member Legislature.