Bathiudeen NCM on 18 and 19 June

• Speaker makes decision on dates despite Opposition demanding 6 and 7 June 
• PM says NCM against Govt. should take precedence 
• But JVP argues NCMs should be taken in the order they were submitted  

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya confirmed the No-Confidence Motion against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen must be debated in Parliament on 18 and 19 June and should not be advanced or shifted to July.

With the party leaders’ meeting coming to an end on Thursday morning with no agreement made on the dates to move the No-Confidence Motion in Parliament for debate, the lawmakers charged the Government with attempting to delay it. 

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen

United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa, who wanted to shift the debate to 6 and 7 June, said: “It is true the No-Confidence Motion should be prioritised and debated. But the next Parliament sitting week will commence on 4 June. But we proposed to shift all Bills and Orders the Government anticipates to move on the 6 and 7 to 4 June. But the Government was adamant to change the business of the House set for the particular week. Please don’t postpone this important motion to the latter part of June.”

In response, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held that he has made two requests with regard to the No-Confidence Motion in particular. “The first request is to receive an interim report about Minister Rishad Bathiudeen within two weeks. Secondly, I requested the Speaker to discuss with the party leaders in deciding the dates for the debate. Yes, we will allow the No-Confidence Motion against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to be taken up. But the No-Confidence Motion against the Government should be taken before any other No-Confidence Motion including the Ministers,” held the Prime Minister.

Showcasing the Government authority over Parliament matters on par with the Standing Orders, Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development and Leader of the House of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella said: “We are ready for the debate on 18 and 19 June. According to Parliamentary tradition, the Government has the privilege of assigning the dates. The Opposition is not allowed to decide dates.”

Meanwhile, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Anura Dissanayake held that the Select Committees and the No-Confidence Motions should not be mixed up. “The No-Confidence Motions should be taken based in the order they were submitted. So, the first in line is the No-Confidence Motion against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. That is why we are not seeking the dates to take up the No-Confidence motion against the Government,” he said.