Uproar in parliament over supplementary estimate

 By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Parliament heated up yesterday with the Government moving the resolution in connection with the Supplementary Sum—Head 240—Programme 2 debated on 5 May 2016.

 The members of the Joint Opposition disrupted sessions disagreeing with the results of the vote demanding urgent action. However, Chief Opposition Whip, JVP MP Anura Dissanayake proposed the Government hold a new vote for the same and clear the issue.

 Despite the disruptions and heated arguments between the Joint Opposition and the Government members, the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya assured to discuss the matter in Party Leaders Meeting. “I will try to provide a fair solution for this issue after the Party Leaders Meeting,” said Speaker.

 However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe who was on his feet assured about the Government’s policy to solve issues and retain flexibility in Parliament. “We could have taken a rigid stand in this matter in the Parliament. But we haven’t. We have been very flexible. We will not behave like thugs in the Parliament. You will be removed from the house if there are issues in behaviour within the Parliament,” said Prime Minister.