Joint opposition wants debate on July 18

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2001, 09:47 GMT]
The no-confidence motion against the People's Alliance (PA) Government is likely to be taken up for debate on July 18. This is in consequent of the written request by 115 opposition parliamentarians submitted Tuesday to the Secretary of the Speaker. "The entire opposition has requested the Speaker that the no confidence be taken up for debate on July 18. A certified copy the request was also handed over to the Secretary General of the parliament," Mr.Mahinda Samarasinghe, a UNP parliamentarian said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said "the party leaders' meeting fixed for Thursday will decide the date to debate of the no-confidence motion against the government."

In the meantime, it is learnt the Prime Minister Mr.Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has written to the Speaker that the no-confidence motion be taken on July 18 for debate.

Parliamentarians of Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by former Minister Mr.Rauff Hakeem and Sinhala Urumaya (SU) have signed the joint request to the Speaker.

However, Mr.Champika Ranawake, sole parliamentarian of the Sinhala Urumaya said, "I signed the joint request as his party wanted to safeguard the democratic ideals. It does not mean that I am supporting the no-confidence motion against the government. A no-confidence motion is submitted to the Speaker, it should be taken up for debate"

A Politburo member of the JVP said, "now our party want the no-confidence motion to be taken up for debate. Whether to vote for or against the motion will be decided by our parliamentarians at the time of voting, not now."

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