The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna says the decision by the President to prorogue Parliament through an Extraordinary Gazette Notification was carried out legally under powers vested in him as the President.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo this morning, Foreign Minister GL Peiris said the decision was in accordance with the Constitution and it should not cause unnecessary panic.
Minister Peiris said the President possesses authority to convene, dissolve and prorogue Parliament.
The Minister said there is only one limitation to his authority which is cited in the Constitution related to the prorogation of Parliament; the Proclamation should notify the date for the commencement of the new session of Parliament.
He said the Parliamentary process pertaining to the Budget debate was completed, claiming yesterday was the most suitable time to practice these powers which has been vested directly with the President.
Minister Peiris said all existing committees will be in operation once Parliament sessions commence on the 18th of January 2022 with the only possible change being the composition of these committees. He claimed the change in the composition was natural.
Meanwhile, commenting on the special meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers scheduled to be held this evening with the participation of the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Minister said they will not reach a decision pertaining to seeking the assistance of the International Monetary Fund.
He said many media outlets reported of such a development claiming all such reports were false.
