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Budget debate to go ahead despite Opposition lapse

By Jayantha Sri Nissanka and Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

The Government yesterday agreed to hold the 19 days committee stage debate despite the failure of the Opposition to hand over the necessary amendments as stipulated in the Standing Orders.

There was an uproar in Parliament last evening when Chief Government Whip Mahinda Samarasinghe told the Speaker that the amendments in respect of committee stage debates have to be handed over on or before November 9 as announced by the Speaker but the Opposition has not done so.

" This is a debate for the Opposition, but they have failed to do their duty in moving these amendments. They must know the Standing Orders. We should strictly adhere to the Standing Orders," Samarasinghe added.

Later, Minister Samarasinghe told the Daily News this is possibly the first time in the history of Sri Lankan Parliament that such a lapse had occurred.

At the committee stage, a debate is held on each Ministry where the Opposition members will get an opportunity to criticise the work and achievements of the Ministries.

PA MP Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who always comes to the rescue of the Opposition raising Parliamentary laws and traditions admitted that there was a lapse on the part of the Opposition. "We can adjourn the House now and we will present amendments tomorrow."

However, Leader of the House W.J.M. Lokubandara objected to this saying that Standing Orders had to be strictly followed. He also said: "Chief Opposition Whip Mangala Samaraweera should take responsibility for this lapse".

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse said he would take full responsibility for any mistake on the part of the Opposition and requested the Government to settle this amicably.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe agreed to discuss the matter at the Party Leaders meeting. "Let mud be slung at us but we will find a way out," he added.

When the Party leaders met after adjournment, the Opposition had admitted that they did not submit the relevant amendments.

Opposition Leader Rajapakse had called his secretary to the Party leaders meeting and had questioned whether his office had submitted the amendments. The Secretary had said he had prepared the relevant amendments and handed it over to Chief Opposition Whip Mangala Samaraweera.

Thereafter, the Government had agreed to hold the Committee Stage Debate and asked the Opposition to comply with the Government's demand that they should inform the Government 24 hours before moving any vote at Committee Stage.

However, the Speaker is to announce today that there was a lapse on the part of the Opposition in handing over the amendments. 

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