Parliament to convene from July 7 to 10

Parliament is scheduled to sit from July 7 to 10, Parliamentary Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera said. She noted that the business for the sitting week was decided at the Parliamentary Business Committee meetings held on June 25 and 26 under the chairmanship of Deputy Speak…

Parliament is scheduled to sit from July 7 to 10, Parliamentary Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera said. She noted that the business for the sitting week was decided at the Parliamentary Business Committee meetings held on June 25 and 26 under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih. Except for Wednesday, when time is allocated for questions to the Prime Minister, each sitting day from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. will be reserved for business under Standing Order 22(1)–(6). From 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., time will be allocated for oral questions, followed by questions under Standing Order 27(2) from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. On Tuesday, July 7, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., the House will debate and approve regulations issued under the Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188) and the Extraordinary Gazette notifications No. 2482/03 and 2482/04 under the Anti-Corruption Act. On Wednesday, July 8, parliamentary business will continue with allocated question sessions, followed by debates from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. on regulations under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, customs-related resolutions, motor vehicle regulations, and export development orders published in multiple gazette notifications. From 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., an adjournment debate will be held on the challenges faced by migrant workers, brought by the opposition. On Thursday, July 9, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the second reading debate will be held on three bills related to anti-money laundering, financial transaction reporting, and combating terrorist financing. From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., time will be allocated for questions at adjournment time. On Friday, July 10, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., several private member motions will be debated, including proposals on regulating fuel station licensing, protecting heritage sites in Kolonna including Maduwanwela Walawwa, establishing a “Sri Lanka Baitulmal Fund,” appointing student counsellors in schools, introducing a pension scheme for migrant workers, banning unhealthy food sales in school canteens, and promoting tourism and economic development in Jaffna. From 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., an adjournment motion from the government side will be taken up for debate. (Newswire)