The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Marikkar, both categories will continue to exist. At present there are 17 Sectoral Oversight Committees. Considering their scope and operations—if we look across all committees of the previous Parliament—there were around 88 to 93 in total. This posed challenges: officials having to remain in Parliament five days a week, pressure on parliamentary staff, and significant overlaps in subjects. Therefore, Party Leaders agreed that, regarding the Sectoral Oversight Committees—not to postpone them indefinitely—but to obtain a report by 31 January and proceed accordingly. Thus, Sectoral Oversight Committees are not being abolished; they remain. How they will continue will be based on that report. Until 31 January, the Ministry Advisory Committees will function.