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| Thursday, 12 December 2002 |
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| BoI Bill creates furore in House by Rodney Martinesz A furore broke out in Parliament yesterday with Opposition MPs staging a sit-in protest in the well of the House against a ruling by the Chair in favour of the Government to proceed with a debate. Opposition members led by PA firebrand Jeyraj Fernandopulle stomped into the centre and sat cross-legged - satyagraha fashion protesting against the ruling by Deputy Chairman of Committees Siri Andrahennadi to allow the Board of Investment Bill debate which forced the suspension of sittings. JVP's Vijitha Herath raising a point of order claimed the debate could not proceed since there were subjects in it which came under the Provincial Councils. He was challenged by Labour Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who maintained that the debate could go ahead since it was not an "Emergency Bill". In any event the members had the opportunity to canvass the issue before the Supreme Court which they had failed to do. He also accused the JVP of trying to disrupt the work of the House. He was backed by Leader of the House Minister W.J.M.Lokubandara and Parliamentary Affairs Minister A.H.M.Azwer. Armed with the determination of the Attorney General he said the Bill did not violate the thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution. MP Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said they were not against the debate but objected to the proper procedure not being followed. The Bill should have been referred to the Provincial Councils first. He called for the postponement of the debate until this issue was settled. The House resumed after a five minute suspension only to go into recess once more amidst the continuous baying by the Opposition at Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who was attempting to present the Bill. The debate commenced in the end with Speaker Joseph Michael Perera in the Chair and confirming the earlier ruling. |
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