House to convene as Constitutional Assembly on April 5

The Parliament for the first time will convene as a Constitutional Assembly on April 5, Government Information Department said.

Constitutional Assembly was appointed for the purpose of deliberating, and seeking the views and advice of the people, on a new Constitution for Sri Lanka, and preparing a draft of a Constitution Bill for the consideration of parliament.

The Constitutional Assembly, which will consist of all Members of Parliament, at its first sitting will determine the Sub-Committees to work on the Constitution-making process, and elect members to those Sub-Committees. It will meet in the Chamber of Parliament with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya presiding.

It will also appoint a Steering Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairman), Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the House, the Minister of Justice, and not more than eleven other Members of the Constitutional Assembly.

The Prime Minister at the first meeting is expected to present a Resolution for adoption by the Constitutional Assembly, calling upon the Steering Committee to present a Resolution proposing a Draft Constitution Bill for the consideration of the Constitutional Assembly.