Speaker promises to review Parliament seating arrangements

• SJB MP raises concerns over first-time MPs getting front row seats

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday promised to review the seating arrangements in discussion with Party Leaders after questions were raised about first-time MPs being given front row seats.

SJB Kurunegala District MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raising a point of order said that the front row seats had been allocated for the members who were selected for the first time while former Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers had been allocated seats in the back rows. Some such members have been in Parliament more than three decades, he said.

SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the matter had been brought to the notice of the Secretary General of the Parliament and he had requested that the matter be discussed at the Party Leaders’ meeting and the changes made to Standing Orders, if necessary, to take the proper decisions.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the matter would be taken up at the Party Leaders’ Meeting and arrangements would be made to solve the issue.