• Speaker suspends session calling for a party leaders’ meeting

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

Heated arguments arose in Parliament yesterday between the government and the opposition regarding who should move the proposed debate on the Central Bank annual report 2020. 

The issue was brought up by Jathika Jana Balawegaya MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioned as to how SLPP MP Professor Ranjith Bandara was given the opportunity to move the debate when he requested for a debate.  “I was the one who requested for a debate at the last party leaders’ meeting. I requested it so that I could move it. I am not Professor Bandara’s representative to ask for a debate on behalf of him,” Mr. Dissanayake said. 
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene who responded said he will look into the matter. “I will see whether there has been any mistake when writing the minutes of the party leaders’ meeting. 
Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa who joined the cross-talk said he would agree with Mr. Dissanayake. “This is unfair as it was Mr. Dissanayake who requested for a debate,” he said. 

Minister Prasanna Gunawardene who responded said Mr. Premadasa had become a puppet of MP Dissanayake.  “I am not like the opposition leaders in the past who were puppets of the then governments,” Mr. Premadasa said. 
Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena who joined the argument said Mr. Dissanayake only requested for a debate but did not indicate that he wanted to move it.” There is nothing wrong in Professor Bandara moving the debate. This is a clear example of opposition’s attempt to disrupt the House,” he said. 

Arguments continued for some time and then Speaker suspended session calling for a party leaders’ meeting. It has been decided at the party leaders’ meeting that Mr. Dissanayake will be allowed to move the debate next month. 

• Arguments continued for some time and then Speaker suspended session calling for a party leaders’ meeting. It has been decided at the party leaders’ meeting that Mr. Dissanayake will be allowed to move the debate next month