20 Parliament committees after Polls

25 March 2015 01:45 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government is hoping to re-introduce the Parliamentary Committee System after the upcoming general election, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

He said this committee system was introduced to Sri Lanka by the Donoughmore Constitution in 1931 and it existed till 1947.

Premier Wickremesinghe made these comments at a ceremony held at Temple Trees last morning to distribute motorcycles to local government members.
He said the appointment of ministers from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was to see how the political parties could work together and pointed out that these parties could play a role in governance after the next elections by participating in the Parliamentary Committee System.

“Under this system some of the political party representatives will be appointed as ministers and deputy ministers while those members who do not accept portfolios can head the 20 new parliamentary committees. The the cinisters and the Committee Chiefs will meet from time to time and take policy decisions. These committees will be given the responsibility to take such policy decisions,” he said.

Justifying the appointment of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs as Ministers, the Prime Minister said President Maithripala Sirisena had no choice but to give them ministerial portfolios as they were the ones currently in Parliament.

“President has to appoint those in Parliament as ministers according to the constitution,” the Prime Minister said

He said appointing of SLFPers as Ministers was not a new thing as they were offered portfolios in January prior to the forming of the new government. “We offered them portfolios but they were not ready to accept them at that time,” he said.

Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya said the government’s intention was to provide motorcycles to all local government members irrespective of the party they represented.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake pledged that all development work which have been put on hold would resume soon before the end of the 100-day programme. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 8

ranga Wednesday, 25 March 2015 11:02 PM

What about the promise of limited cabinet ministers...is it the case that the "promises are meant to be broken"...

TONY Thursday, 26 March 2015 12:29 AM

NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WORKING WITHOUT BRIBING EVEN THE PARLIAMENTARIANS. COMMITTEES ARE FOR THEM TO EARN AN EXTRA INCOME

Nims Thursday, 26 March 2015 02:09 AM

Ranil, may be you are not aware where you stand today. The committees will never happen.

Rohan Thursday, 26 March 2015 07:45 AM

This is the best opportunity to introduce Consensus Democracy to the process of legislation in Sri Lanka .It is a decision making structure which involves as broad a range of opinions as possible as opined by the PM too, as opposed to the system we have nowhere minority opinions can potentially be ignored by vote_ winning majorities. This will also help to prevent the domination of one linguistic or cultural group in the political process.

colin Thursday, 26 March 2015 09:46 AM

Ranil this an excellent proposal. Ruling by consensus is a correct way to govern without individuals making decisions.

sadees Thursday, 26 March 2015 10:31 AM

may be a good idea to spread the power and concentrate on burning issues.

Shirley Thursday, 26 March 2015 10:58 AM

Hmmmm, may be a good idea. So that some ignorant persons will not be asked to take decisions like before.

public Thursday, 26 March 2015 05:19 PM

Yahapalya would also end after the 100 day program me.

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20 Parliament committees after Polls

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