Ruling party MPs urge effective time management in Parliament Point fingers at Opposition

• The ongoing dispute over this issue has become a recurring concern in the House

By Yohan Perera  

A faction of ruling party Members of Parliament (MPs) has voiced grievances over the limited speaking time they receive during parliamentary sessions and has sought intervention from President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene to address the issue of time management in Parliament. 

Prominent MPs, including Premnath Dolawatte, Madura Vithanage and Jagath Samarawickrama, recently held discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, during which they expressed their concerns. They appealed to the country’s leadership to oversee more efficient time management in parliamentary sessions, ensuring that MPs have sufficient opportunities to address the House.  

According to sources within the President’s office, these MPs conveyed their frustrations regarding the limited speaking time available to them, particularly during crucial legislative debates. They attributed this issue to the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and his party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), accusing them of time-wasting, especially during the allocated oral question time. They argued that despite a mere one-hour allocation for oral questions, excessive time is squandered during this period, leaving less room for substantial debates on pressing issues.  

Moreover, the MPs underscored their concerns about the considerable financial cost incurred with each parliamentary session, estimated at approximately Rs. 4 million. They contended that this expenditure often goes to waste due to inefficient time management.  

In response to these concerns, President Wickremesinghe has pledged to discuss the matter with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.  

Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga, who previously raised this matter during parliamentary sessions last week, indicated that if the situation persists, ministers may be compelled to cease answering oral questions after 11.30 am each day to economize time. He also chastised the Opposition for sometimes violating standing orders when raising questions.  

Mr. Premadasa, in defence of the Opposition’s actions, maintained that the Leader of the Opposition has a legitimate right to inquire about matters of national significance. The ongoing dispute over the allocation of time and the management of parliamentary sessions has become a recurring concern in the House in recent times.