Parliament to convene at 10.30 am today

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Parliament chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is set to convene at 10.30 am today (December 05). Issuing a statement last evening Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that he had acted according to the democratic principles, Standing Orders of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The Speaker also said that he does not expect to strengthen or weaken any individual or group through his actions while adding that it is the duty of all parties to ensure that parliamentary proceedings take place in a peaceful manner. However, the United People's Freedom Alliance decided last morning (December 04) that they will refrain from attending today's parliamentary proceeding. Meanwhile, UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake said that a decision will be taken regarding the future course of the parliamentary proceeding following a party leader's meeting scheduled to be held this morning (December 05).