Wimal granted extra time through vote

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Parliament yesterday decided to grant an additional 10 minutes to Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa to make his reply speech.

The decision was taken after a division in which 42 voted in favour and 18 against. The additional time was provided from the 30 minutes allocated for the lunch break.

Minister Weerawansa’s speech was continuously interrupted by Opposition members.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena asked the approval of the House to grant an additional 10 minutes to Weerawansa by extending the morning sessions by another 10 minutes without adjourning sittings at 12.30pm for the lunch break.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu who presided said the consent of both sides of the House was needed to go ahead with the proposal.

The opposition MPs disagreed to the proposal. Thereafter the Chair decided to go for a division and the proposal was approved with a majority of 24 votes.

Minister Weerawansa then winded up his reply speech making use of the additional time.

The House took up the Finance Head of the Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry during the morning sessions yesterday at the Committee stage debate. Opposition MPs continuously disturbed the minister when he stood up to make the reply speech before the lunch break.