• Party leaders decided to debate on the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill today

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

The Business Committee of Parliament, a body representing political party leaders and representatives to decide on businesses of the House, yesterday decided to take up the debate on the no confidence motion against Petroleum Minister Udaya Gammqnpila on June 19 and 20, Parliament Media Unit which quoted Secretary General Dhammika Dassanayake said yesterday.   

The party leaders decided to debate on the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill today.   
The bill makes provisions to ensure that suspects in custody are protected to the extent provided for in the Convention against Torture and other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or the Punishment Act No 22 of 1994.  

It will be the duty of every Magistrate to visit every police station situated within the judicial division in respect of which he is appointed, at least once in every month to ensure that the suspects under police custody at such police stations are protected to the extent provided for in the Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act No 22 of 1994.  

Meanwhile Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando told Daily Mirror that party leaders have decided to hold the full week’s sessions. “Sessions will be held from today until Friday,” he said. Asked whether former Minister Basil Rajapaksa is set to be sworn in as an MP this week he said Parliament has not been informed of any arrangement yet. 

• Party leaders have decided to hold the full week’s sessions