News
Number of questions MPs could raise reduced from 15 to 10
By Saman Indrajith
The party leaders, who met yesterday, had agreed to decrease the number of questions the MPs could raise in the House during the question sessions from 15 to 10, Parliament sources said.
They said the agreement had been reached in view of the time spent on question session during a normal sitting day.
Usually 15 questions are allowed for a day and one hour is allotted from the sitting time before the commencement of business of Parliament. However, there have been occasions in the recent past when the questions session dragged till lunch time as many MPs raised points of order demanding explanations. Following the commencement of Parliament today at 10 am, time will be allotted for the oral questions of the MPs until 11 am.
The party leaders meeting chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was held yesterday at the parliamentary complex.
Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said that the regulation issued by the Minister of Labour, under an Extraordinary Gazette which was presented to Parliament on January 21, under the Employees Provident Fund Act would be taken up for debate today (09). The debate was scheduled to commence at 11.00 am and to continue until 04.30 pm. The adjournment motion moved by the ruling party was scheduled to be taken up for debate from 04.30 pm to 5.30 pm, Dasanayake said.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would answer the questions raised by MPs on Wednesday, (10) from 10 am to 10.30 am. Thereafter, from 10.30 am to 11 am, time has been allotted for question time of the MPs.
On Wednesday regulations imposed under the Gem and Jewellery Act were scheduled be taken up for debate, which would be held from 11 am to 4.30 pm. After that the adjournment motion moved by the Opposition it would be taken up for debate, Parliament sources said.
Sources said that three regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act would be taken up for debate on Thursday (11). On the same day, from 10 am to 11 am, time would be allotted for the oral questions of the Members of Parliament and the adjournment motion moved by the Government would be taken up for debate from 04.30 pm to 5.30 pm.
Votes of Condolence on the late MPs Surangani Ellawala, K.P Silva and Kapila Abeyratne are scheduled to be presented in Parliament on Friday (12). The sitting would be held from 10 am to 4.30 pm on that day and no time would be allotted for the questions of the MPs, sources said.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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