"Proroguing parliament will not impact the drafting of a new constitution" - Gen. Sec. of Parliament

COLOMBO (News 1st) - General Secretary of Parliament Dammika Dissanayake says proroguing Parliament will not have an impact on the functions of the steering committee of the Constitutional Assembly which is tasked with creating a new constitution. The activities of a number of Parliamentary committees, including COPE and COPA, were suspended following the President's decision to prorogue Parliament through an extraordinary gazette. Dasanayake added that functions of the steering committee of the Constitutional Assembly will be carried out unhindered as it operates as the selection committee for constitutional reforms. The steering committee of the Constitutional Assembly is being chaired by the Prime minister. President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday (April 23) signed a gazette proclaiming that the next Parliamentary session would be convened at 2.15 pm on May 8th.