• We have also heard that SJB MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanaykkara have been sidelined

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

The adjournment debate moved by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on the current situation in the country had to be stopped before the scheduled closing time as there was no quorum in Parliament yesterday.    

The quorum issue was raised by SJB MP Rohana Bandara while MP Suren Raghavan who was the chair adjourned the sitting until today. “One cannot go on with the sessions when there are only eight members present in the chambers,” he said.   

Minister Mahindananada Aluthgamage was speaking at the time of the adjournment and was stopped by the presiding officer. “ You cannot go on speaking when there is no quorum,” he said.   

The Minister said the SJB has been hampered with divisions. “ The SJB MP who moved the debate is not present. We have also heard that SJB MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanaykkara have been sidelined. They have not been allocated time to speak during this debate,” Minister Aluthgamage said.