Live Blog: Parliament Convenes

12.00: Motion against the expenses of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and State Ministers passed with 122 votes in favor, and none against. 11.53: Vote on the motion to cut down Minister's Expenses underway. 11.38: " The Minister of Finance has issued a circular asking to halt ' Gamperaliya' - This circular is illegal." - MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara 10.42: "Nobody can say that you have been biased to the UNP, when you accepted Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister and allocated the necessary seat for him." - MP Patali Champika Ranawaka tells Speaker Karu Jayasuriya 10.30: Parliament Convenes. Colombo (News 1st): The Public Gallery and the Special Invitees Gallery will be closed when the Parliament convenes today. Speaking to News 1st, Deputy General Secretary of Parliament Neil Iddawela noted the entire parliamentary complex will be out-of-bounds for the general public except to the media.