• Relevant gazette issued on Sunday, December 12
• Parliament has been prorogued for 25 times in the past
• President leaves on a private visit to Singapore

By Yohan Perera

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Sunday night prorogued Parliament until January 18, 2022, in keeping with powers vested with him in terms of Article 70 of the Constitution.

The President’s media unit confirmed that a gazette was issued to this effect on Sunday, December 12, 2021, prior to his private visit to Singapore. The President will have to ceremoniously open the sessions on that day as per the Constitution.

Parliament has been prorogued for 25 times in the past. Late President J. R Jayewardene prorogued the House after closing of sessions while he addressed each new session.

Proroguing has delayed the sessions which were to begin on January 11, 2021.

As per the procedure, committees such as COPE, COPA and Public Finance will become defunct. The new heads of these committees and members will have to be reappointed once the House meets next year, as per the standing orders.

However, the committees on High posts and consultative committees continue to function despite the prorogation.

• The committees on High posts and consultative committees continue to function despite the prorogation