Govt. objects to suspend Standing Orders and debate motion against Prez

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

The government yesterday objected to the motion moved by the opposition to suspend Standing Orders and take up the motion expressing  displeasure over President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for debate yesterday.  

The motion was moved by TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, who proposed that the motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa should be taken up for debate considering it a matter of urgency.  

“I urge the Parliamentarians not to block the discussion on the motion against the President. It is the discussion in the country today. Please allow it to take place today,” he said.  
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, who seconded the motion, said the President was accountable to Parliament and the motion should be taken for debate.  
Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena said the government objected to the motion to suspend Standing Orders and requested the Speaker to take up the motion against the President on another date without suspending the SOs.  

He requested the Speaker to put the motion to a vote.  

Accordingly, the motion was put to a vote and it was defeated by 51 votes.  

A total of 119 MPs voted against the motion while 68 voted in favour.  

Accordingly, the motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not taken for debate yesterday and it would be taken up for debate on another date.

• The motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not  taken for debate yesterday