President Ranil Wickremesinghe in writing has directed all Ministers to be present in parliament to answer questions relevant to their Ministries. This comes after many Ministers were seen absent on parliament sitting days during debates relating to their subjects.

Accordingly, the President has directed Cabinet Ministers and State Ministers in charge of subjects to be in the house when questions that require oral answers, questions made under Standing Order 27 (2), questions and proposals related to the scheduled main work of the House or when the House is adjourned are presented in order to provide answers to them.

In particular, the President has further emphasized that the active participation of the relevant district committee coordination chairmen is also required and if the relevant chairmen are not present, there must be a deputy chairperson present.

Wickremesinghe has also said that if there is any vote or a special day in the Parliament, the coordination chairpersons of those committees should be present in the Parliament from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm on the day.