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| Friday, 25 July 2003 |
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| DLB still under Milinda - Speaker by Jayantha Sri Nissanka and Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Speaker Joseph Michael Perera yesterday informed Parliament that the Development Lotteries Board (DLB) still came under the purview of Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology Milinda Moragoda. Giving a ruling on a point of order raised by PA MP Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, the Speaker said as far as Parliament is concerned, the Development Lotteries Board comes under Minister Moragoda. "There is no gazette paper to say that the subject comes under the President," Minister Azwer argued. Leader of the House and Minister W. J. M. Lokubandara referring to Standing Orders said there is no legal document to confirm that the subject has been removed from the purview of Minister Moragoda. The dispute over the DLB issue was raised when Minister Moragoda rose to answer an oral question raised by PA MP Athula Nimalasiri Jayasinghe about introducing and printing of a new lottery by the DLB. Raising a point of order, PA MP Fernandopulle said the subject matter now comes under the purview of the President. "So, we would like to know whether the Minister is answering on behalf of the President," he asked. At this point, Parliamentary Affairs Minister A. H. M. Azwer said that the Attorney General has ruled that the President taking over of the DLB was unconstitutional. Making a ruling on the dispute Speaker Joseph Michael Perera said the Parliament has not been informed of any removal of DLB from Minister Moragoda or of any other change. "We have to go by the Standing Orders. Therefore, as far as the Parliament is concerned this matter comes under the purview of Minister Moragoda and he can reply to the question," the Speaker said. |
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