The No-Confidence Motion (NCM) brought against Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara was defeated in Parliament today (24) by a majority of 116 votes.
A total of 152 MPs voted against the NCM, while 36 MPs voted in favour, and 0 abstentions.
The motion was brought by the Opposition over the recent controversy surrounding the Negombo Prison.
The Opposition formally handed over a no‑confidence motion against Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament on July 22.
The motion comes in direct response to the Negombo Prison unrest on July 5 and 6, where clashes left a number of prison officers and inmates dead and several others seriously injured.
The Opposition argues that Minister Nanayakkara failed to fulfill his responsibility and accountability for ensuring the safety of those in custody.
During the debate on the NCM today, Opposition MPs criticised the Justice Minister over his handling of the matter and called for him to take responsibility.
Government MPs defended Nanayakkara, arguing that holding the Minister responsible for the incident was unjustified and questioning the basis for bringing a NCM against him. (Newswire)