X-Press Pearl disaster Party leaders proceed with debate after the suspension

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

The party leaders yesterday decided to go ahead with the adjournment debate on the X-Press Pearl ship disaster without mentioning any matter which would have an effect on the case which is pending at Singaporean courts.  

 Earlier the House sessions were suspended for nearly one hour and forty minutes as the Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe pointed out that there is a sub judice effect as a case was pending in Singaporean courts. “The debate cannot go ahead as there is a sub judice effect. This is a concept which has been introduced by the House of Commons UK. Sri Lankan Parliament has also accepted this matter and has included it in its standing orders,” the Minister said.   

However, SJB MP Gayantha Karunatilaka said standing orders provide provisions for the debate to go ahead without referring to matters pertaining to the case that is pending in the judiciary. MP Dayasiri Jaysekera said the matter cannot be discussed even in committees.   

The Speaker then decided to suspend the sittings around 10.20 am and called for a party leaders meeting. An agreement was reached at the party leaders meeting to take up the debate. The MPs were advised to refer only to environmental matters. The debate resumed around 11.15 am.