Money Bills will be resubmitted

Nadira Gunatilleke and Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: The Government is ready to resubmit to Parliament the five monetary Bills presented on September 6, Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said.

The Minister told the media yesterday that they respected the ruling given by Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara that the Bills, which created unprecedented pandemonium in the House, were not validly passed at the Committee stage.

“Accordingly, the Government will present the Bills for debate again on a date of its choice. They would probably be taken up during the budget debate,” he said.

Fernandopulle further pointed out that no action has so far been taken against UNP Parliamentarian Mahinda Ratnatilleke who snatched the agenda from the Speaker during the debate on the five Bills.

“We have recordings to prove the conduct of the Member of Parliament. Therefore, the Speaker has to refer the matter to the Court”.