Politics of power at play!

Thursday, 25 April 2013 01:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Our Lobby Correspondent

Parliament was in uproar for the second consecutive day yesterday, with the Opposition lighting candles in the Chamber and climbing on tables to protest against a Government decision to raise electricity tariffs, forcing the Deputy Speaker to suspend sittings for several minutes.

UNP MPs walked into the Chamber yesterday holding candles and proceeded to stage a demonstration against the electricity price hikes. The demonstration drew an angry reaction from Government benches, which hurled water bottles at the Opposition MPs, causing Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakoddy to suspend sittings for several minutes and force the Opposition MPs to put out their candles.

Despite the uproarious scenes that continued throughout the sittings, with DNA MPs Vijitha Herath and Sunil Handunetti standing on tables in protest, the Government passed four bills and six regulations scheduled to be taken up yesterday. The Deputy Speaker then adjourned sittings till 7 May.

Parliament reconvened at 1 p.m. yesterday following Tuesday’s chaotic scenes over the electricity tariffs that forced Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to suspend sittings for a day. After the announcements made at the commencement of business, the Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy moved the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) followed by three general motions moved by the Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and the Leader of the House of Parliament Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Politics of...

The Opposition continued to disrupt proceedings with the UNP raising issues regarding the Standing Orders and a violation of the constitution by Minister of Power and Energy Pavithra Wanniarachchi in her recent speech.

Both Deputy Speaker Weerakkody and Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva disagreed but asked the Opposition to request a debate during the next session.