20 April 2022 08:44 am Views - 203
By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called for the setting up of a select committee to look into enhancing Parliament powers and determine as to who is responsible for the decision on exchange rates.
Speaking in the House, Mr. Wickremesinghe also proposed setting up of a ‘ways and means committee’ which is responsible for decision making with regard to finances.
He proposed bringing in a new legislation to provide provisions for the Central Bank to obtain the approval of legislature to print money.
“In addition I would like to propose 20 sectoral oversight committees,” he added. “The financial situation in the country is deteriorating further. The worst is yet to come. The queues to purchase essential items will not end in a hurry. The responsibility of the MPs is to find a solution to the present economic crisis. The entire nation is watching as to what the MPs are up to. Parliament will be attacked soon if we fail to perform our duty,” he said.
Also he welcomed the proposal made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to repeal the 20th Amendment and replace it with the 21st Amendment. “I am happy about this proposal to bring back the 19th Amendment,” he said.