Parliament Gears Up for Four-Day Sitting with Packed Legislative Schedule

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Parliament is scheduled to meet from Tuesday, May 20th to Friday, May 23rd. 

This decision was made during the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently (16) Chaired by the Speaker, (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne.

Accordingly, on Tuesday, May 20th, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, and the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., it is scheduled to take up the debate on the Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act. Subsequently, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition is scheduled to be taken up for debate.

On Wednesday, May 21st, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, and the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Order under the Finance Act, No. 25 of 2003 and the Notification under the Finance Act, No. 35 of 2018 are scheduled to be taken up for debate. Subsequently, the time from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.

Accordingly, on Thursday, May 22nd, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, and the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., it is scheduled to take up the debate on the Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Ten Resolutions under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023. Subsequently, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Government is scheduled to be taken up for debate.

On Friday, May 23rd, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, and the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the Second Reading of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill is scheduled to be taken up for debate. Further, the Committee also agreed to take up the Second Reading of the Bill titled “Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill,” which was presented to Parliament for the First Reading on 2025.05.08, in addition to the already scheduled Business, in the event no petition is filed in the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121 of the Constitution against the said Bill. Subsequently, the time from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. has been allocated for Questions at the Adjournment Time.