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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

"Parliament in session is Parliament in exhibition while Parliament in committees is Parliament at work," Parliamentary Affairs Minister A.H.M. Azwer yesterday told the second Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Asia Regional Conference.

The Minister was referring to a saying by former USA President Woodrow Wilson who remarked - Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition while the congress is its committee rooms is congress at work.

Elaborating the importance of Parliament Committees, Minister Azwer stressed that the Sri Lankan Government has taken an initiative to strengthen Parliament Committees. " Reform and regeneration of existing committee system were announced and publicly endorsed by Prime Minister."

Addressing a conference's panel session on Strengthening the Committee system, Minister Azwer said in a remarkable initiative, the Government has decided to allow Opposition members to actively participate in these "oversight committees."

Minister Azwer further explaining this system said these committees which will be chaired by an Opposition member will discuss policy issues and carry out oversight functions. These proposed committees will include four to eight members of Parliament. "This oversight committees need assistance to better hold the Government accountable for its management of public resources," he added.

The Minister said transparency, accountability and good governance demand that the executive be held responsible to Parliament for the proper utilisation of public money. "Political transparency is vital for building up good governance."

He also emphasised that the Public Account Committee is the most vital and main segment through which the Assembly discharges its role of demanding accountability for public expenditure.

"The committee shall consider both excess and under expenditure with a view to promoting efficiency," added Minister Azwer.

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