The Parliament was adjourned mid-session today (23) after a tense situation arose following the government announcing it will not permit a debate on judicial vacancies, requested by the Opposition to be held during the day’s proceedings.
Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced that the Parliament will be adjourned for 10 minutes due to the current situation.
Addressing the Parliament earlier today, Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera informed the house that twenty Opposition MPs have handed over a letter to the Speaker calling for a debate on the judicial vacancies and proposal to increase the retirement age of judges.
Responding to the request, Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake said that the ongoing debate cannot be adjourned, as a vote has been scheduled for the end of the Parliament session, pointing out insufficient time.
Minister Rathnayake further said that a vote could be held on the matter, but a debate cannot be held on the Opposition’s request today.
Following the remarks, a tense situation arose in Parliament, with several opposition MPs, including Harsha de Silva and Dayasiri Jayasekera, and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa expressing displeasure.
As the tense situation continued, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne adjourned Parliament for 10 minutes. (Newswire)