Resolution on ’’National Council’’ to be debated today

The Resolution to constitute the Parliament Committee designated “National Council” is scheduled to be taken up for debate today (20) from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm. Parliamentary approval for the formation of the National Council is to be obtained at the conclusion of this debate.

Chaired by the Speaker, the National Council will also comprise the Prime Minister, Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Government Whip and not more than 35 MPs representing the Ninth Parliament from recognized Political Parties in Sri Lanka as determined by the Leaders of the Political Parties.

Following is the full text of the resolution on the constitution of the National Council:

The Leader of the House of Parliament,— Resolution for the constitution of the
National Council,—

(a) That this Parliament resolves that there shall be a Parliament Committee
designated “National Council” consisting of the Hon. Speaker as the Chair, the
Prime Minister, the Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the
Opposition in Parliament, the Chief Government Whip and not more than thirty
five (35) Members of Parliament representing the Ninth Parliament from
recognized Political Parties in Sri Lanka as determined by the Leaders of the
Political Parties.

(b) The National Council shall have the jurisdiction and general responsibilities in
order to:—

(i) determine the general priorities of Parliament to guide the formulation of
short, medium and long-term national policies;
(ii) agree on short and medium-term common minimum programmes in respect
of the stabilization of the economy; and
(iii) arrange special meetings with the Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, the
National Council, the Chairpersons of the Special Committees and Youth
observers of Youth Organizations.

(c) The National Council shall have powers to request reports from—

(a) Sectoral Oversight Committees;
(b) The Committee on Public Finance;
(c) The Committee on Public Accounts;
(d) The Committee on Public Enterprises;
(e) The Committee on Banking and Financial Services;
(f) The Committee on Ways and Means;
(g) The Committee on Economic Stabilization; and
(h) Any Committee controlling Public Finance.

(d) The Cabinet of Ministers shall in the discharge of its duties under Article 43 of
the Constitution submit reports to the Council.

(e) The quorum of this National Council shall be ten (10) Members.

(f) Any Member who absents himself from three consecutive meetings without
having obtained the prior leave of the Committee, shall be deemed to have
vacated his membership of the Committee.