Parliament debates third reading of Budget

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Committee Stage on Budget 2021 or the third Reading Debate, commenced today with expenditure heads for public services, including the President and the Prime Minister's Office being taken up. Lakshman Kiriella, Chief Opposition Whip, questioned whether institutions that were independent under the 19th Ammendment can function independently under the new Ammendment, where they fall under the President's purview. The Opposition further alleged that members of the Government who have the capacity to work, are being resigned to the backbenches. MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha stated that, "There are individuals in the backbenches of the government such as S.B. Dissanayake and Mahinda Samarasinghe who are capable of handling these subjects." MP S.B. Dissanayake, in his remarks, stated that he presents a special request regarding a pardon for former MP Duminda Silva. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking later on, stated that the President has failed to fulfill his promises and cited moves to permit appointment on Directors to the Civil Aviation Authority as evidence for servicing relatives.