Parliament is due to be convened on October 21 and 22 this week, Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said.
This was decided on at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena last week. Time has been set aside on both days from 10.00 am to 11.00 am for Questions for Oral Answers.
Parliament will convene on October 21 at 10.00 am and from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, Regulations under the Civil Procedure Code, Youthful Offenders (Training Schools) (Amendment) Bill and the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill will be debated, the Secretary General said.
Thereafter, from 3 pm to 6 pm the Adjournment Debate on current issues with regard to fertiliser will be held as per a motion moved by the Opposition.
Two orders under the Strategic Development Projects Act will be debated on Friday, October 22 from 11.00 am to 12.00 noon. Subsequently, the Adjournment Motion moved by the Government on the COPE Reports presented to Parliament on March 10, 2021 and April 6, 2021 will be taken up for debate from 12.00 noon to 5.30 pm without a lunch break.
The proposed amendments to the Standing Orders to be made by the Committee on Standing Orders were tabled for the information of the Members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business and it was agreed to discuss this in the future.
The Committee also emphasised the need to conclude the Questions for Oral Answers at 11.00 am and the time allotted for Questions under Standing Order 27 (2) at 11.15 am.
The Committee also discussed the possibility of reopening the Public Gallery in Parliament and it was decided to consider the reopening in the future, subject to health guidelines.