• Unmoved about Committee on Parliamentary Business
• Oppo. to nominate MPs for other committees

The Government has agreed to increase Opposition representation in certain Parliamentary committees following the Opposition's request but has not agreed to change the representation in the Committee on Parliamentary Business, it is learnt.

It was recently reported that the Opposition is to refrain from appointing representatives or officially participating in several Parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Business Committee, until their representation in such committees is increased.

As the Government had recently agreed to provide the Opposition with a response on the issue, The Daily Morning contacted Chief Opposition Whip MP Gayantha Karunathilleka, who confirmed that they had received a response. "It was not as favourable as we hoped, but representation in certain committees has been increased. We are currently in the process of nominating MPs to these committees."

However, he said that the Parliamentary Business Committee remains the most in-demand committee and that the Government has stated no changes can be made to its representation. "The Government informed us that representation in the Business Committee cannot be increased, not even by one seat. We will have to discuss this with opposition party leaders and decide on the next course of action."

Parliamentary Committees play an important role in governance by scrutinising legislation, overseeing government actions, and ensuring accountability with regard to matters such as decisions that affect the public, public finance, and transactions of State-owned entities.