Bread feeds Parliamentary uproar

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 November 1998, 18:19 GMT]
Pandemonium prevailed in the Sri Lankan parliament this afternoon when an opposition MP threw pieces of bread on the house. Mr.Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, UNP, MP speaking on the rising cost of living during the debate on the government's budget this afternoon said that the PA came to power by promising to bring down the price of bread to 2.50 rupees but has now raised the price of a loaf to 8.50 rupees.

He said that Mr.Jeyaraj Fernandopillai was the only government minister in the cabinet to oppose the bread price hike.

Mr.Gamini Jayawikrema Perara charged that bread has become a luxury to the masses as consequence of the price increases imposed by the PA regime although it has been a poor person's staple in Sri Lanka.

Having said this he tore up a loaf of bread and threw the pieces among the members of the house.

This had the government MPs on their feet shouting down the UNP MP and the opposition raising its voice against in his support.

It took some time for the speaker to bring order in the house.