The newly established parliamentary committee known as the National Council is scheduled to meet today (29) for the first time at 10.30 am in the Parliament.

The preliminary affairs of the National Council are to be discussed today.

Parliament approved the proposal to establish the National Council on September 20 with the aim of finding solutions to the country's economic and political crises.

The Council is presided over by the Speaker and it consists of 35 members including the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Government Whip, the Chief Opposition Whip and other members representing the political parties in the Parliament. 

However, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said that he is unable to attend the National Council meeting today due to several other public meetings.

Meanwhile, several parties including the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the Jathika Jana Balawegaya, the Tamil National Alliance, the Uththara Lanka Sabagaya and MP Dullas Alahapperuma's faction of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna had previously informed that they would not participate in the Council.

Committee on Parliamentary Business also to meet today

Meanwhile, a special meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business is also scheduled to be held today under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena at the Parliamentary complex at 09.30 am.