Party leaders have agreed to take up the debate on the resolution to constitute the "National Council" in Parliament on September 20, Communications Department of Parliament said.

The decision has been taken at the party leaders meeting this morning.

The National Council will consist of the Speaker as the Chair, the Prime Minister, Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the Chief Government Whip and not more than thirty-five (35) Members of Parliament representing the Ninth Parliament from recognized Political Parties in Sri Lanka as determined by the Leaders of the Political Parties.

Accordingly, the National Council will have the jurisdiction and general responsibilities to determine the general priorities of Parliament to guide the formulation of short, medium and long-term national policies, agree on short and medium-term common minimum programmes in respect of the stabilization of the economy.

The council will also empowered to arrange special meetings with the Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, the National Council, the Chairpersons of the Special Committees and Youth observers of Youth Organizations.

The National Council will have powers to request reports from Sectoral Oversight Committees, the Committee on Public Finance, the Committee on Public Accounts, the Committee on Public Enterprises, the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Economic Stabilization; and Any Committee controlling Public Finance. Parliament is scheduled to meet from September 20 to 23.