President Ranil Wickremesinghe is reportedly considering proroguing Parliament on January 27, intending to address the nation when it convenes for the new session after the Independence Day celebration on February 4, as per sources from the Daily Mirror.
The informed source reveals that the President is contemplating a prorogation period of approximately ten days. It is essential to note that prorogation, defined as a temporary recess of Parliament, should not exceed a period of more than two months.
Although the date for summoning Parliament can be advanced by another Presidential Proclamation, it must be summoned for a date not less than three days from the date of the fresh proclamation. During prorogation, the Presidential Proclamation is required to specify the date for the commencement of the new Session of Parliament, in accordance with Paragraph (3) of Article 70 of the Constitution.
As the Head of State, the President holds the authority to deliver a statement of government policy at the commencement of each new session after prorogation. The President’s intended address is seen in the context of the government implementing unpopular revenue measures and facing presidential elections later in the year. Additionally, most committees, including the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), will need to be re-constituted following the prorogation.
