Expenditure head for Defence Ministry approved

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

The expenditure head of the Defence Ministry was approved in Parliament by a majority of 78 votes with 88 members voting in favour and ten against.

Almost all Tamil members in the Opposition, including those from the IATAK, Gejendra Kumar Ponnambalam and Ramanathan Archuuna voted against.

Some 127 members were absent.

Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake complained that the Opposition has violated a prior agreement reached where the ruling party was to be notified in the event that the Opposition is to call for a division. 

"All 158 MPs would have been present during voting time if prior notice was given," he said.