MPs justify missing parliamentary sessions

• Some MPs have said they play multiple roles which result in them missing sessions

With reference to a report put out by Verite Research that revealed only 83 MPs have attended Parliamentary sessions within the month of January this year, some MPs said they have to play multiple roles which result in them missing sessions and thus tried to justify their absence.
SLPP MP Wimalaweera Dissanayake told the media that members of Parliament often have to attend to the needs of people in their districts or constituencies. 
“We have to get the roads repaired, bridges built and attend to other construction work. We often have to run behind the Ministers to get this work done. This is why the MPs get absent for sessions often,” the MP said. “We cannot play the lawmakers role all the time,” he added. 

SJB MP Tissa Attanayake also said MPs have to attend to the needs of the people in their constituencies. “MPs have to attend weddings, funerals, or they will have to participate in the religious ceremonies in the village temples. People find fault with the MPs if they do not participate in these ceremonies. They have been called upon to manage their time in such a scenario. One cannot blame an MP for missing sessions for a valid reason,” the MP said.

Also he said full attendance of MPs is witnessed only during an important debate or during a decisive vote. “You won’t see full attendance in Parliament every day,” he said.  
National People’s Power (NPP) MP Harini Amarasuriya came up with a different idea. She said the role played by Parliament has become minimal because of the powers vested with the Executive President.