15 MPs appointed to Legislative Standing Committee

By Saman Indrajith

Fifteen MPs have been appointed to the Legislative Standing Committee in addition to the Deputy Speaker as the Chair, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced to the House yesterday (27).

The Speaker said that the Committee of Selection has nominated Prof G. L. Peiris, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Namal Rajapaksa, Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva, Sisira Jayakody, Dr Rajitha Senaratne, Chandima Weerakkody, Govindan Karunaharan, Hector Appuhamy, Imran Maharoof, Harshana Rajapakaruna, Premanath Dolawatte, Madhura Withanage, Sagara Kariyawasam and Jayantha Weerasinghe to the Legislative Standing Committee.

The Legislative Standing Committee considers the Bills and other statutes referred to it by Parliament. For the performance of its duties the Committee has power to send for persons, papers and records.

As per the Standing Orders, the Chair of the Legislative Standing Committee has an original vote and if the votes are equally divided, he shall also have a casting vote.

The Member in charge of any Bill referred to this Legislative Standing Committee, if not a member of the Committee, shall have the right to attend any meeting at which such Bill shall be under discussion and to address the Committee upon the Bill, and to move amendments and vote as a member of the Committee upon any question arising in connection with such Bill.