JM to be tabled in Parliament on Friday

[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 June 2005, 07:11 GMT]
"The joint mechanism proposal will be tabled in Parliament Friday. A debate on the JM will be following thereafter. The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) will not sign the Joint Mechanism agreement before tabling it in parliament," said Minister Mr Maithiripala Sirisena, Leader of the House, Thursday in parliament in reply to a point of order raised by Mr Wimal Weeravanse, the JVP parliamentary group leader. Heated argument ensued between the JVP and SLFP parliamentarians.

The parliament resumed its sitting Thursday morning at 9.30 am. Mr Wimal Weeravanse raised the point of order after Ministers answered oral questions.

"I came to know from the chief whip of the United National Party (UNP) Mr Mahinda Samarasinghe that the government has decided to table the JM in parliament tomorrow (Friday). Is it true? If so when would it be tabled in Parliament? After the signing?," Mr Weerawnase asked in his point of order.

SLFP parliamentarians intervened and raised crises when Mr Wimal Weeravanse was raising the point of order.

Heated argument ensued between the JVP and SLFP parliamentarians.

"What is the purpose in tabling the JM document in parliament after signing it?," asked Mr Weeravanse who took to the floor amid shouts, demanding a reply from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House.

At that stage, Mr Maithiripala Sirisena, Leader of the House, responded by saying that the Government will not sign the aid deal with the Liberation Tigers before tabling it in the parliament.

Speaker Mr W M J Lokkubandara presided.