• Formally requests PM under SO 16

SLPP Opposition Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has called on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to convene Parliament immediately to address the ongoing flood and landslide crisis affecting the country.

In a post on the social media platform X, Rajapaksa stated that he has formally requested the Premier to summon Parliament under Standing Order (SO) 16. He emphasised the urgent need for Parliamentary oversight, noting the “people are suffering like never before - entire villages are submerged, homes destroyed, families displaced, and children without food or clean water.” Highlighting the severity of the situation, Rajapaksa noted that many affected individuals are living in temporary shelters or wading through floodwaters daily, uncertain as to whether their homes will remain intact once the rains subside. He added that floods and landslides have left over a million people across all 25 Districts struggling with loss, hunger, illness, and uncertainty. “Until every family is brought back to safety and dignity, and until relief reaches every affected community, this House must sit, every week if necessary, to monitor, debate and ensure that Government promises become real assistance on the ground. Standing with our people now is not politics; it is our moral duty,” he added.

SO 16 reads: “During an adjournment of more than 48-hours duration, the Speaker (of the Parliament), if so requested by the PM, shall give notice convening the Parliament for such date being an earlier date than to which the Parliament had adjourned as may be contained in the request and thereupon the Parliament shall meet on the date and the time specified in the notice issued by the Speaker and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that date and time”.