By Saman Indrajith

It had been decided at the party leaders’ meeting yesterday to hold parliament sittings on five days next week, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.

Minsiter Fernando said that the usual sitting week should have been only for four days from Tuesday to Friday but Monday too had been included to enable opposition MPs to raise questions because some of their questions had been deferred during the past few weeks due to time constraints.

Minister Fernando said that the Leader of the House, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had informed the meeting that the government would present the Appropriation Bill for the year 2022 during the next sitting week.

The party leaders’ meeting was held at the Parliamentary complex yesterday with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena presiding.

Minister Fernando said that the entire day on Monday (Oct 4) had been set aside as a special sitting day for Questions for Oral Answers. Time had been allocated from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm. for 40 questions which were earlier postponed due to various reasons.

Parliament will meet on Tuesday (5) at 10.00 am and from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm Regulations and Order under the Value Added Tax Act, Regulations and Order under the Inland Revenue Act, an Order under the Finance Act are listed for debate.

The Petroleum Resources Bill (Second Reading) will be taken up for debate on Wednesday (6) from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm.

On Thursday (7) from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), Employees’ Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), an Order under the Employees Provident Fund is scheduled to be taken up for debate.

The Adjournment debate on the Mid-Year Financial Position Report for the year 2021 will be taken up for debate on Friday (8) from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm.

Time has also been allotted for Questions at the Adjournment Time from Tuesday to Thursday from 4.30 pm to 4.50 pm. The Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Government will be on Tuesday and Thursday from 4.50 pm to 5.30 pm whilst the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition will be on Wednesday.