Laptops for MPs in e-Parliament

The transformation of the chamber of parliament to an e-Chamber began in earnest this week with each Member of Parliament (MP) being provided with a laptop computer.

It is part of the Chamber Management Information System (e-Chamber), Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced on Tuesday. A laptop computer each has been installed on the tables of all MPs.

The intention is to assist the MPs especially in the Parliament Chamber and it will help them to obtain data neces- sary for their efficient functioning including internet and e-mail facilities. Wi Fi is available in the Chamber.

The laptops of this project were received as foreign aid from China, while the needed software was developed by the Department of Information Systems and Management of the Parliament.

Members of Parliament can obtain services such as legislative information (Bills, Petitions, Questions, etc.), personal information (salary particulars, attendance details, etc.).

Information with regard to the Business of the Day (Order Paper, Order of Business, Committee schedule, etc.) and archival information (Hansards, Committee Reports, etc.) will also be available via this system.

Also for the first time, an electronic voting system was tried out in the House on Friday. It was the vote on the Local Government Elections (Amendment) bill which was passed with 120 voting in favour and none against with 44 abstentions.