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There shall be a Committee to be designated the Backbencher Committee, nominated by the Committee of Selection.
The Backbencher Committee shall consist of the following members:—
(a) The Chief Government Whip, The Chief Opposition Whip, three Backbenchers from the Government and three Backbenchers from the Opposition;
(b) In the case of Members from the Opposition, one place shall be allotted to the largest party in the Opposition and another place shall be allotted to the second largest party in the Opposition;
(c) Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, save and except the Chief Government Whip, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers, the Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Leaders of the Political Parties shall not be entitled to be a Member of this Committee.
The Chief Government Whip shall be the Chair of the Committee and in his absence, the Chief Opposition Whip shall chair the Committee.
It shall be the duty of the Backbencher Committee to determine the Business to be taken up on days allotted for Backbencher Business.
The Committee shall have the powers as of any other Committee set up for Special Purposes and the General Rules for Committees shall apply mutatis mutandis to this Committee.
The Committee may invite Government officials to attend its meetings.
Any Backbench Member of Parliament desiring a debate on any matter shall inform in writing to the Backbencher Committee with a week’s prior notice setting out—
(a) the importance of holding a debate;
(b) the number of Members who are likely to take part; and
(c) whether the matter has been debated or is scheduled to be debated or is likely to be debated in the current Session in Parliament.
The Backbencher Committee, if it considers that the request made by any Backbench Member of Parliament under paragraph above is appropriate, shall request the Committee on Parliamentary Business for allocation of time for such a debate.
The Committee on Parliamentary Business shall thereafter allocate a suitable date and time for such debate.
[Refer to Standing Order No. 126]
Eighth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka | Second Session
Date: 2020-03-02
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