Discussions have commenced regarding a proposal to establish an alternative parliament under the leadership of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, United National Party (UNP) sources said.
It is said that invitations for this alternative parliament will be extended to politicians from parties who have been MPs before but weren’t elected at the last general election.
Despite around 450 former MPs being qualified to receive such invitations, only 225 will be selected for the alternative parliament.
A shadow cabinet will be appointed comprising senior members of the alternative parliament who will scrutinize the policies and actions of their respective ministries.
It will also see the appointment of former senior MPs to the positions of speaker, deputy speaker, and chief opposition whip.
Plans are afoot to establish several committees similar to the parliamentary committees currently in place such as the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA).
It is also reported that former presidents as well as senior statesmen from various countries will be invited to address the alternative parliament in Sri Lanka.
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