The Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) programme presented by the government was approved by Parliament with a majority of 60 votes on Saturday. The motion received 122 votes in favour and only 62 votes against it. A majority of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MPs representing the ruling party voted in favor of the resolution. Leader of the House Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha presented the proposal to Parliament last Saturday morning.
The debate on the proposal was held from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, United National Party, Ceylon Workers Congress voted in favour of the resolution, while representatives of the parties including Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Jathika Jana Balawegaya, Tamil National Alliance, Tamil National People’s Front, Uttara Lanka Coalition and Nidahas Janata Sabha voted against the resolution.
Members of Parliament of Samagi Jana Balavegaya A. H.M Fowzie, Kumara Welgama and Vadivel Suresh, Sri Lanka Freedom Party Member Duminda Dissanayake and SLPP Members Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Priyankara Jayaratne, John Seneviratne and Nimal Lanza who are independent from the government also voted in favor of the resolution.
MP Ali Sabry Raheem, declared his vote against the government in the last poll held in Parliament, but this time he declared his vote in favour of the government.
Meanwhile, nearly 40 MPs, including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers Harin Fernando, Roshan Ranasinhge and MPs Namal Rajapaksa, Jagath Kumara, and Dahammika Perera were not present in the House at the time of polling.
When Samagi Janbalawega continued to state that the debate in this regard should be held until 9.30 pm day before yesterday , Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stated that the poll should be held at 7.30 pm as agreed in the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. Accordingly, the debate related to this proposal began on Saturday (1) at 9.30 am and was held till 7.30 pm and after the end of the debate, the Speaker informed to ring the bell for the polling at around 7.30 pm. A heated argument ensued in the assembly at the time of the polling. Opposition MPs continued to loudly declare their displeasure against the Speaker and the Sergeant-at-Arms was seen standing near the mace and protecting it.
The Speaker informed the relevant resolution was passed with amendments after the polling.
Parliament was convened on the Prime Minister’s request, in accordance with the special gazette announcement issued by the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena in accordance with Standing Orders 16 of the Parliament.
Add new comment