Rs. 55 m supplementary estimate goes through

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Lawmakers yesterday gave a unanimous nod passing the Supplementary Estimates of Rs.55 million instead of going for a fresh vote.

Leader of the House and Minister of Higher Education and Highways Lakshman Kiriella moved the motion without leaving room to call for divisions.

 However, Joint Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardana who was on his feet after passing the bill raised his objections, which was rejected by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

Speaker Jayasuriya said: “You were engaged in other matters when the motion was moved. Now it is too late to raise objections despite the agreement the Party Leaders made to pass it unanimously.” The initial vote on the Supplementary Estimate was questions with different numbers coming out last week. The Committee appointed by the Speaker to look into the matter decreed that there had been a discrepancy in the counting of votes.