Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene has issued a special Gazette notification, summoning the Parliament to assemble at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, July 1st. The notification comes in light of the impending debt restructuring proposal, scheduled to be presented in the Parliament for adoption this week, according to political sources.
In an effort to ensure the presence of ruling party MPs, an earlier notice was circulated on Sunday (25) instructing them to remain in Colombo and cancel all other engagements, including overseas travel. This strategic move highlights the significance attached to the debt restructuring plan.
Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has outlined a comprehensive timetable for the proposal. He stated that the debt restructuring program will be submitted to the Cabinet on Wednesday, followed by presentations in the parliament and before the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on Friday, June 30th.
During an interview with FRANCE 24 at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, President Wickremesinghe emphasized that the program will undergo parliamentary debate on Sunday and ultimately gain approval from the parliament.
The proposed debt restructuring initiative holds great importance for the nation’s financial stability, and its progress through the parliamentary process marks a crucial step toward addressing the economic challenges faced by the country.