8 February 2022 12:22 pm Views - 3284
Heated arguments erupted in Parliament today between the government and the SJB with Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando stating that the Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa has launched a battle with MP Patali Champika Ranawaka to secure his post in the House.
Mr. Fernando said this when Mr. Premadasa was insisting that the government should come up with an answer to the question he raised on the decline of usable foreign reserves to US $ 700 million. He also questioned whether the Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa had asked for a report on the financial situation under Financial Bill no 58 of 1948. Also he questioned the gazette notification issued on Monday February 7 2022 under which the government had proposed a 25 percent tax on EPF.
Mr. Fernando who responded said the Financde Minister will answer all questions which has been raised by Mr., Premadasa in writing, “ Mr. Premadasa had come up with gossip other than what he has raised in writing, However Finance Minister will answer all questions Mr. Premadasa has raised in writing on another date,” he said.
“I only raised concerns about the financial crisis and never talked of gossip,” Mr. Premadasa responded.
MP Angajan Ramadanan who was at the chair then assured Mr. Premadasa that the government will respond to his questions on another date. “Leader of Opposition, the government will answer your question on another day,” he said. What nonsense is this? Mr. Premadasa responded,.
Mr. Premadasa is actually engaged in a battle with MP Patali Champika Ranawaka to secure the Opposition Leader’s post,” Chief Government Whip Fernando said at that time.(Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)