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Records show poor attendance by parliamentarians as 9th Parliament marks 2 years
View(s):By Sandun Jayawardana
As the Ninth Parliament completes two years of its term, attendance records show that several Cabinet and State Ministers are among those who have the poorest attendance records.
Parliament had 182 sitting days during the two year period from August 20, 2020 to August 23, 2022, according to information released following a Right to Information (RTI) request by the Sunday Times. They also show that several long-serving MPs have a terrible record of attending Parliament.
Of those currently holding Cabinet portfolios, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has the worst attendance record, having been present on just 67 sitting days. Close behind is Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who has been present on just 68 days. Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando has been present on 90 days while Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has been present on 98.
Others who have been Parliamentarians throughout the past two years but have been present on less than 100 days of Parliamentary sittings are National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa (70), Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP S. Noharathalingam (84), State Minister Dilum Amunugama (85), Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kuttani Leader C.V. Wigneswaran (88), State Minister Arundika Fernando (89), former Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake (94), Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Kumara Welgama (95) and TNA MP Dharmalingam Sithadthan (97).
TNA Leader R. Sampanthan has the worst overall attendance record. Parliament however, has approved leave for Mr Sampanthan owing to ill health. The last time Parliament approved three months’ leave for him was on May 18 this year, records show. Likewise, leave has also been obtained for MP Palani Thigambaram, who has only attended Parliament on 49 days. Leave was last approved for him for three months with effect from May 18 this year. Current Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe too had obtained three months leave from Parliament with effect from February 23 this year.
Several other MPs have also been present on less than 100 days, but they were sworn in at different times during the period of this Parliament for vacancies that had been created.
Data also shows that over 60 MPs have been absent on more than 50 sitting days.
On the other side of the spectrum, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Monaragala District MP Gayashan Nawanandana and Gampaha District SLPP MP Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha have been present on all 182 days Parliament has been in session. SLPP MPs Madura Withanage and Yadamini Gunawardena have missed only one sitting day.
Poor attendance among MPs has been commented upon in Parliament before, including by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who has bemoaned that some MPs were only showing up briefly on days when they have been allocated time to speak.
Please see for the full attendance record.
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