No prorogation after fourth parliamentary session

There will be no prorogation after the fourth session of the eighth Parliament is conducted on January 3 for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to make his maiden speech, a party leader who wished to remain anonymous said yesterday.

“The parliamentary business committee met yesterday with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in the chair. The House will meet on January 3. The President will make his maiden speech at 10:00 a.m. Later, party leaders will meet at 12:30 p.m. to decide on the business for the next parliamentary week commencing on January 7. The House will meet again the same day. The Speaker told party leaders that he already allotted the opposition leader’s seat to MP Sajith Premadasa. He will announce it to the House on that day. Furthermore, he requested the government to nominate members to posts of Chief Government Whip and Leader of the House. Therefore, the House will not be prorogued after the inaugural session,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)