PM hails MP Ajith Kumara as Interim Budget gets easy passage in P’ment

Monday, 9 February 2015 00:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby orrespondent Receiving a near unanimous majority last Saturday, the President Maithripala Sirisena-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Government managed to pass one of the most important milestones in its 100-day plan. The second reading of the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill saw 164 lawmakers voting in favour, while Democratic National Alliance MP Ajith Kumara (independent) stood against, an act praised by Wickremesinghe. However, former Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, D.E.W. Gunasekara, Tissa Vitarana, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa, Y.G. Pathmasiri, Geethanjana Gunwardena, Chandrasiri Gajadeera and MP Sriyani Wijewickrama preferred to abstain by keeping the Speaker informed aloud. Meanwhile, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa turned down a last minute request by MP Ajith Kumara for a call for division by name but continued to take numbers by row. Highlighting the importance of the Interim Budget, Wickremesinghe identified it as a “national attempt to create a new political culture” in the country. “This is a new political experience and we do not need to go for any divisions. I thank MP Ajith Kumara for not allowing to pass the Budget unanimously. His act showed that the parliamentary system is functioning as expected,” he said. The third and final reading of the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill passed with amendments but without any division.

Opposition vows to defeat Ranil

The Opposition yesterday y vowed to defeat Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Parliament elections and form a new Government. Opposition leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will be meeting on February 14 to discuss the polls. He said that the SLFP is keen to ensure while President Maithripala Sirisena, the SLFP chairman, continues as President of the country, a Prime Minister from the SLFP is appointed after the General elections. Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the SLFP will protect the party leader and the party and look to defeat all forms of conspiracies and allegations being raised against the party. He also said that the SLFP will take disciplinary action against the SLFP members who supported UNP member Harin Fernando to be appointed as the Chief Minister of the Uva Provincial Council. Nimal Siripala de Silva also said that the party will expel anyone found guilty of corruption if the correct legal process is followed. Meanwhile, Nimal Siripala de Silva said that he was never given due recognition under past Presidents when the SLFP was in power. However he noted that he never left the party and so he will continue to fight for the party and not for any post or position. (Colombo Gazette)