Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has drawn his attention on maintaining the role of the Ministerial Consultative Committees in a more effective and productive manner.
Accordingly, through this Ministerial Consultative Committee system, it will be possible to make the Members of Parliament aware of the legal and policy making process as well as to engage with them in a more conversational and proactive manner.
The matter was discussed at the Consultative Committee meeting on Finance Ministry chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament recently.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretariat of Parliament, Assistant Secretary General Tikiri K. Jayathilake said that these Consultative Committees have the potential to go beyond the traditional system and continue to operate more efficiently and effectively in the future.
Jayathilake also pointed out that in the context of a hybrid constitution in which the executive and the legislature work closely together, it is possible for the members of the legislature to have a better relationship with the executive through this committee system and this will enable us to elevate the level of Parliament in the international rankings as well.
The Assistant Secretary General also briefed the Prime Minister and other Ministers on the possibility of convening the relevant parties and holding a broader dialogue between the officials and the people's representatives when the Committee discusses certain issues.
Speaking at the committee Prime Minister emphasized the need to maintain Ministerial Consultative Committees focusing on the changes in the world today.
State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment and Business Development Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister of Money & Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Deputy Chairperson of Committees Angajan Ramanathan and Members of Parliament Harsha de Silva, (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, Sudath Manjula, Sahan Pradeep were present at this committee meeting.
In addition, the Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance S.R. Attygalle, other senior officials of the Ministry of Finance were also present.