Statutory body to oversee national council proposals

The establishment of a special statutory body to oversee the implementation of the proposals and recommendations made by the National Council (NC) was discussed when the NC Chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana met in Parliament last week.

The SJB parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka noted that the proposals and recommendations brought by the National Council should not be limited to a document and that they should be implemented followed-up accordingly. Therefore, a statutory body should be established or an existing body should be restructured.

Prime Minister Gunawardena agreeing with it said he will look into the possibility of establishing the said institution as early as possible.

The Chairman of NC sub-committee on identifying short and mediumterm programmes related to National Policy, Namal Rajapaksa said the support of the university vicechancellors and lecturers were vital to formulate national policies while MP Ranawaka, Member presented the progress of discussions held on the banking, transport, tourism and business sectors to the NC.

Prime Minister Gunawardena pointed out that the fuel and energy crisis is going to be a huge challenge in the coming years. Therefore, necessary policy should be prepared to deal with it.

Speaker Abeywardena emphasized on the importance of preparing a policy for the provincial councils and the central government to work together. He also pointed out that this need will be felt more after a provincial council election in the future.

Chief whip of the opposition, Lakshman Kiriella, Members of Parliament, Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, Asanka Navaratne, A. L. M.athaullah and Sagara Kariyawasam were present at the meeting.

The Secretary General of

Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake and the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera were also present.