The debate on the VAT (Amendment) Bill had to be postponed on the day it was taken up due to lack of a quorum. In fact, some government bigwigs as well as many opposition members were absent on that day.

However, the government decided to pass the bill the following day itself after a debate.

The opposition reacted to this decision with a strong protest. But some government bigwigs were adamant that they should act according to the decision already made. In fact, the government bigwig from Gampaha took up the position that they should stick to the decision to pass the Bill that day itself by way of tit for tat for the opposition’s recalcitrance in causing a lack of a quorum the previous day.

However, even a top team member holding a high position in the council had taken up the stand that it was undemocratic for them to deny the opposition sufficient time for a debate given the importance of the Bill. Nevertheless, this Top Team member had to give in following an order from a top government authority, they say. So finally, the Bill was passed without giving the opposition an adequate debate it called for, they say.