P’ment adjourned due to no-show by Govt. MPs

• P’ment becomes tense as Opposition censures absence 
• Finance Bill delayed as day’s business postponed 

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday adjourned the House early due to the absence of Government Parliamentarians to conduct the day’s business resulting in the withdrawal of the Finance Bill.  

Unable to move forward, Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka offered to withdraw the Finance Bill, which was moved to amend the Finance Act, No. 35 of 2018 in order to provide for the imposition of a Foreign Commercial Transactions Levy.

Speaker Jayasuriya took the Chair yesterday when the Sitting commenced at 10.30 a.m. It was observed that only four Government lawmakers were present in Parliament when the Bill was moved. 

Taking the opportunity, United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Dinesh Gunawardena, leading the Opposition lawmakers, was seen on his feet opposing the motion while requesting a vote if the day’s business was to be carried out against their disagreement. 

In the absence of an adequate number of lawmakers available in Parliament to win the vote, Minister Karunathilaka offered to withdraw the Bill along with the day’s business with plans to move it later.

Meanwhile, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne held that the Opposition could be given more time if necessary to study the Bill and it need not be taken up for debate urgently. 

However, the increased tension between the Government lawmakers and the Opposition convinced the Speaker to adjourn Parliament till 1 p.m. on 17 September, agreeing to the request by Minister Karunathilaka. (AH)