Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take measures to summon Parliament without any delay to discuss the current situation in the country.
The Speaker’s Media Unit said there were no provisions in the Constitution for the Speaker to summon Parliament when there is no Prime Minister in the Government and the Speaker could summon Parliament on a day other than as decided by Parliament. However as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from office on Monday, the only means for the Speaker to summon Parliament should be on the directions of the President.
As scheduled, the Party Leaders’ meeting will be held today (11) presided by the Speaker. It was also revealed that the Party Leaders’ Meeting could discuss the matters pertaining to the business of Parliament but has no powers to decide to summon Parliament on another day other than decided by Parliament.
As the Speaker has made the notification to the President, it could be summoned today or any other day within this week once the President acts accordingly.
However Parliament resolved last Friday that Sittings will commence at 10 am on May 17.
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