Hundred-day program to be presented in Parliament

by Manjula Fernando

The Government will present the 100-day program that proposes many benefits to the masses, for approval in the first session of the new parliament on January 20, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

He said the amendment to the Constitution has also been drafted and it will be discussed among government party leaders in the coming days.

A several Acts including the Drug Regulatory Act, a Bribery and Corruption Act to give more teeth to Bribery Commission and the Auditor General and an Act to empower parliamentary oversight committees are being formulated to ensure good governance as promised in the Maithri policy statement.

The relief package to the people in the form of a mini budget is to be presented in Parliament within the course of this month, he added. Commenting on the SLFP's decision at the Party's central committee to hand over the leadership and support President Maithripala Sirisena, the Minister said it will strengthen the stability in parliament and ensure the two thirds majority that is necessary to pass a constitutional amendment in the House.

The Minister said, however, their gesture will not affect the investigations contemplated against those who have committed mass scale corruption and violated the election law during the last Presidential election.