21 September 2022 12:00 am Views - 58
By Ajith Siriwardana
The resolution to constitute the National Council was passed in Parliament without a vote yesterday.
As per the resolution the National Council will consist of Speaker as the Chair, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Government Whip and not more than 35 Members of Parliament representing the Ninth Parliament, from recognized political parties as determined by the leaders of the political parties.
The National Council shall have the jurisdiction and general responsibilities in order to determine the general priorities of Parliament to guide the formulation of short, medium and long-term national policies, agree on short and medium-term common minimum programmes in respect of the stabilisation of the economy; and arrange special meetings with the cabinet of ministers, the National Council, the chairpersons of the special committees and youth observers of youth organisations.
It shall also have the power to call for reports from the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), Public Finance Committee and from the banking and financial service. Committee on Ways and Means and Committee on Economic Stabilisation are the new committees that are to be appointed in the near future. In addition cabinet ministers will also have to submit reports to the National Council.