By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

President’s secretary Saman Ekanayake has issued guidelines which state officials should follow when they are called for committee meetings in Parliament and has informed the Parliament secretary General about the new guide lines.

Accordingly secretaries of ministries have to attend meetings in Parliament but should assign a senior officials if the secretary of a ministry cannot attend meetings. Officers participating in committee meetings in the House should have sufficient knowledge pertaining to relevant matters. If questions are asked outside the agenda the officers should ask for sufficient time to provide answers.  Also the officers should attend the sectorial committee meetings of ministries only after seeking permission from the relevant ministers.  
Further the Leader of Opposition is expected to inform the relevant subject minister if he wants to summon any state officer for a meeting.