Parliament sessions commence

Parliament sessions commenced a short while ago. The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs are again boycotting the sessions today.  

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By Sandun Jayawardana

Parliament sessions commenced a short while ago. The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs are again boycotting the sessions today.  

United National Party (UNP) MP Lakshman Kiriella congratulated the Speaker at the commencement, noting that the courts have also accepted the Speaker's declaration after the conclusion of the No-Confidence Motion against Mahinda Rajapaksa that there was no longer a Prime Minister or Cabinet in the country anymore. 

UNP MPs again raised issue over alleged biased coverage of certain media institutions. UNP MP S.M. Marikkar said some media institutions were still referring to Mahinda Rajapaksa as PM even after the court order. UNP MP Ajith Perera alleged that the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) was not broadcasting Parliament sessions in violation of the agreement with Parliament.

Speaker Jayasuriya acknowledged the complaint, stating that the Chairman of SLBC was violating the agreement signed to broadcast Parliament sessions despite the Parliament Secretary General repeatedly bringing the matter to the Chairman's attention. "We continue to pay the SLBC to broadcast the sessions but the Chairman continues to violate the agreement," the Speaker noted, insisting that he would take strict action over the incident.  

UNP MPs also raised issue over the alleged biased coverage given in other state media institutions. UNP MP John Amaratunga urged the Speaker to summon the Secretary to the Media Ministry so the House could question him on the matter.  

UNP MP Harsha De Silva alleged that despite a No-Confidence Motion being passed in Parliament and a court order barring him from functioning as PM, the Parliament website continues to refer to Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. The Speaker pledged to rectify the situation.  

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