A tense situation arose in Parliament today (05) when the Opposition demanded an urgent debate on the US$2.5 million Treasury cyber theft.
Chief Opposition Whip MP Gayantha Karunathileke told the House that a written request had been submitted to the Speaker.
Following the proposal, several Opposition MPs stood in their seats, pressing the government to allow the debate.
Responding, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne clarified that an urgent debate can only be held if the proposal is submitted before the session begins and approved by both the Speaker and Parliament.
A heated exchange ensued between the Speaker and Opposition MPs, after which Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake informed the chamber that the government was prepared to hold the debate today.
Minister Rathnayake announced that the government was open to holding the urgent debate from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. (Newswire)
