Party leaders meeting scheduled ahead of today’s Parliament sitting

• Election of new Deputy Speaker on agenda
• Consensus candidate likely after today’s meeting
• Decision on debate on motion against President also to be decided today
• Dinesh G. to continue as Leader of the House, Prasanna R. as Chief Govt. Whip

Party leaders will meet this morning ahead of today’s Parliament sittings to decide the business for the week.

On top of today’s agenda is the election of a Deputy Speaker. The SJB has proposed the name of its Matale District MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna for the post while the SLPP has nominated Hambantota District MP Ajith Rajapakse, but talks are underway to appoint the Deputy Speaker by consensus.

A final decision on fielding only one candidate will be taken at the party leaders meeting this morning.

Also on the agenda is the motion to express displeasure against the president for not having properly exercised, performed and discharged the powers of his office.

The motion was handed over by the SJB last month and is scheduled to be taken up for debate with the approval of the House.

Meanwhile Dinesh Gunawardena will continue as the Leader of the House while Prasanna Ranatunga will continue as the Chief Government Whip in the new Government under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Parliament is scheduled to meet from today to Friday.