"Today is a black day in parliament" : MP Bimal Ratnayake

Colombo (News 1st): A heated argument broke out when ministers were not present to answer the questions raised in parliament. JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake noted that the parliament will note today as a black day because there are no ministers to answer a single question that was raised. He added that the parliament is there only for a few more months and these questions are also delayed. Agreeing to this Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella noted that their Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked them to give priority to parliament. He added that they can do everything else, once they have fulfilled their duties in parliament. Adding to this UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage noted that the situation is that ministers and parliamentarians in parliament do not obey the Prime Minister. He added that a huge sum of public money is used to conduct a session in parliament. The MP proposed that they adjourn parliament till all the elections are over and elect the parliament from a general election and then move on with the proceedings. He went onto note that he will report this to President as well. MP S.M. Marrikkar pointed out that when a question is tabled they usually get the reply in 6 months and if a private members bill is forwarded then it will take more than 2 years. The parliamentarian noted that if they lose that opportunity that is a violation of the privileges that are vested with the parliamentarians. He said, he is saying this without a division as government or opposition.