The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Member, you are unique in certain respects; we consider your representation. However, as Hon. Namal Rajapaksa said, it is not possible to accommodate everyone. That is the reality.

¶ 02 We too suffered such constraints in the past. We adapted by pooling limited speaking time and organizing ourselves. No “royal road” was offered to us; it was the people’s will. We will include as many as possible and help where the Opposition cannot resolve matters internally. We need your contributions; that is why we moved this proposal.

¶ 03 COMMITTEE ON STANDING ORDERS

¶ 04 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 05 “That in terms of Standing Order 116, the Committee on Standing Orders shall consist of the Speaker (Chair), the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Chairman of Committees, and six (06) other Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 06 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 07 HOUSE COMMITTEE

¶ 08 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 09 “That in terms of Standing Order 117, the House Committee shall consist of the Speaker (Chair) and nine (09) other Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 10 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 11 COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND PRIVILEGES

¶ 12 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 13 “That in terms of Standing Order 118, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges shall consist of not more than ten (10) Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 14 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 15 COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS (COPA)

¶ 16 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 17 “That in terms of Standing Order 119, for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, the Committee on Public Accounts shall consist of twenty-two (22) Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 18 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 19 COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (COPE)

¶ 20 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 21 “That in terms of Standing Order 120, for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, the Committee on Public Enterprises shall consist of twenty-two (22) Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 22 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 23 COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC FINANCE

¶ 24 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 25 “That in terms of Standing Order 121, the Committee on Public Finance shall consist of twelve (12) Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 26 Hon. Speaker, under the Standing Orders this Committee is chaired by the Opposition. We hope the Opposition will appoint a suitable Chair.

¶ 27 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 28 COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

¶ 29 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 30 “That in terms of Standing Order 124, the Committee on Ways and Means shall consist of sixteen (16) Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 31 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 32 COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PETITIONS

¶ 33 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 34 “That in terms of Standing Order 125, for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, the Committee on Public Petitions shall consist of nineteen (19) Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 35 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 36 COMMITTEE ON HIGH POSTS

¶ 37 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 38 “That in terms of Standing Orders 127 and 130(1), the Committee on High Posts, for service during the Tenth Parliament, shall consist of the Speaker (Chair) and twelve (12) other Members nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 39 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 40 BACKBENCHER COMMITTEE

¶ 41 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 42 “That in terms of Standing Order 129, for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, the Backbencher Committee shall consist of the Chief Government Whip, the Chief Opposition Whip, six (06) Government Backbenchers and six (06) Opposition Backbenchers nominated by the Committee of Selection.”

¶ 43 Hon. Speaker, previously it comprised three Members from each side; we have, by agreement, increased this number.

¶ 44 Question put, and agreed to.