PARLIAMENT

• An Adjournment debate on the “Other concerns faced by farmers including the sale of paddy harvest” by the Opposition to be held from 12.30 pm on Friday 22nd - Committee on Parliamentary Business decides
• Vote of condolences for the late Members of Parliament to be held from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
• Sittings for the first Parliamentary week for April to be held on the 1st and 2nd

The Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by the Speaker today (Mar. 19) decided to set aside Thursday the 21st of March for the debate pertaining to the motion of no confidence against the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

It was previously decided to take the no-confidence motion for debate on March 19th and 20th. Given the recent developments, it has been scheduled to be held as a three-day debate on March 19th, 20th and 21st. Accordingly, it has been decided to hold the vote on the no-confidence motion on Thursday 21st at 4.30 pm. Subsequently, the Speaker is scheduled to present a special statement to the Parliament. Furthermore, it has been decided to take up the Parliamentary business scheduled for the 21st in the coming week.

Meanwhile, in line with the motion brought by the Opposition, it was also decided to hold the Adjournment debate on “Other concerns faced by farmers including the sale of paddy harvest” on the 22nd Friday from 12.30 pm to 6.00 pm. Also, as previously decided, time has been set aside from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm on the said day for the Votes of Condolence on late Hon. R. M. Karunaratne, Hon. Bandula Basnayake and Hon. (Dr.)  P.M.B Cyril.

It has also been decided to hold the Parliamentary sittings of the first sitting week of April on the 1st   and 2nd. This decision was taken due to the Sinhala Tamil New Year falling on the first sitting week of April. The Committee also agreed to decide the Parliamentary business pertaining to the said two days on a future date.