Kiriella re-presents withdrawn estimate: Morality questioned

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Parliament requested additional funds to the tune of Rs. 56,000mn to purchase of vehicles for ministers, renovation of their official residences and a number of other expenses. Despite its withdrawal due to certain matters raised by the opposition, leader of the house Lakshman Kiriella presented it to parliament again last evening. Lakshman Kiriella, Leader of the House noted that accused residence was not used by him and it was used by the former Minister of Public Enterprise Kabir Hashim and therefore he would withdraw his withdrawal of supplementary budget. UPFA MP, Chandima Weerakkody noted that there is an ethical procedure to submit a proposal to the parliament and it was clearly not in the procedure to submit or withdraw proposals when the MPs are not present in the parliament. Bimal Ratnayake, Chairing Member requested the board of secretaries to forward this to the speaker and inquire into his decision on the situation. UPFA MP, Chandima Weerakkody noted that MP Bimal Rathnayake forwarded the proposal expecting an order which he had not received yet. He added that it was unethical to resubmit a proposal which was withdrawn once. Minister Lakshman Kiriella responded to the allegations and noted that he resubmitted the proposal when the parliament was in session. JVP MP, Bimal Ratnayake noted that he posed the question under the standing order 26. He added that this estimation was not a trivial proposal by a minister but it was a document which the Committee on Public Finance is responsible. He went on to note that the correct protocol should be followed when it is both submitted and withdrawn. Lakshman Kiriella responded that there was no obstacle from a standing order for what he did and similar confusing events were abundant in the recent past. He added that the opposition questioned the amendments that were included during the committee stage of the Provincial Council election draft bill, the procedure followed to pass the motion of no-confidence during the 52-day constitutional crisis. He noted that a number of parties have also raised questions on the appointment of the special parliamentary committee and its activities.