News
Budget passed amidst uproar
The second reading of the Budget was yesterday passed by a majority of 103 votes amidst objections by the UNP that the Appropriation Bill is unconstitutional. The Government secured 156 votes in favour of the Bill while 53 voted against it in Parliament.
The UNP, the TNA, the DNA/JVP all voted against the Bill during the vote taken by name last evening. MPs Tiran Alles and Arjuna Ranatunga who recently announced they were leaving the DNA also voted against the Bill along with Galle District MP Ajith Kumara who announced that he would function as an independent MP even though he was elected from the DNA.
Before the vote several UNP MPs said that putting the Bill to a vote was illegal as the Supreme Court had said that one clause in the Bill was in contravention of the Constitution.
During the vote when Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s name was called, he attempted to raise an objection but was shouted down by Government members. Several other UNP MPs too said they were opposed to what they called the unconstitutional Bill.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said any amendments to the Bill would have to be introduced during the committee stage of the debate.
The Supreme Court in its determination has said the Bill grants permission to the Minister of Finance to withdraw money allocated for specific purposes and/or from the Consolidated Fund. This presents a direct challenge to the onus of Parliament to have full control over public finances as provided for in Article 148 of the Constitution. The Court has suggested that this clause be amended before the Bill is passed.
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who wound up the seven-day debate accused Opposition members of throwing mud at the Government instead of focusing their speeches on the Budget proposals.
The committee stage debate will start tomorrow and will continue till December 8.
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Budget draws no cheers, no jeers; SC rulings check Govt.The past week was hectic for Parliament by all accounts. In addition to the presentation of the annual Budget by ...
Divineguma ‘urgent’ Bill in Parliament on WednesdayThe government will go ahead with the Divineguma Bill as an item of “urgent business” in Parliament on Wednesday (October ...
Speaker stands firm against SC while LG poll’s law sails thro’A landmark ruling by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and Parliament’s approval of significant changes to the Local Authority election law in ...
JVP, CPA see monstrosity in Divineguma billThe Supreme Court will tomorrow take up four petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Divineguma Bill. Among those who have challenged ...
Divineguma facilitates the concentration of powerThe controversial Divineguma Bill appears to be yet another move by the Government that points to a pattern of rushing ...