Emergency extended without debate

Parliamentary corrs

The vote on extending the state of emergency was passed with a majority of 118 votes for the first time in Parliament history without a debate yesterday. Accordingly, the motion seeking the extension received 123 votes in favour and five against.

TNA, DNA and UNP voted against the motion. The debate on extending the emergency is scheduled for February 8. Prime Minister D M Jayaratne moved that the emergency regulations should be extended by another one month.

At this stage, DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that as discussed at the party leaders’ meeting, they agree to take the vote today without the debate.

But he requested for a full day debate on February on the extension of the state of emergency.

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva stated that the debate will be taken on February 8.

DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake asked for a division.