Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday overruled a request from the Opposition benches to hold a vote to pass regulations under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act moved in Parliament.  

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya

He made these statements when the Government moved Gazette Extraordinary No. 2118/60, presented by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama.

Even though it was earlier agreed at a Party Leaders’ meeting that the Gazette would be passed without a vote, in the absence of Government MPs, the Opposition requested for a vote. However, this was rejected by Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella, who pointed out that Minister Samarawickrama was not present in the House to deliver the concluding remarks, and said the debate will be adjourned for a future date.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, approving the adjournment said: “The Minister has time to come clarify some of the issues that have been raised. Since the Minister is not here, we have asked that it be taken up tomorrow, allowing for clarifications. And no one has moved under Standing Order 46 either. Since this is a Government motion, the Government must have the right to decide when to put it for vote. In fact one member held that there was no growth in this country. What nonsense is this? In fact the Central Bank figures show the difference, and the Minister should come and do a clarification.” (AH)

FDI projects worth $ 4.6 b approved: Malik