PM Rajapaksa's office takes initiative to enlighten MPs on the proper procedure to bring about a No Confidence Motion; releases detailed statement

In a bid to explain the proper procedure behind bringing a no-confidence motion (NCM) in Parliament, as the NCM against PM Rajapaksa had to be taken twice, the Prime Minister´s Office has released a lengthy and detailed media statement on how to carry one out properly.

This release issued by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa´s secretary comes in the wake of today´s second call for a vote on a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, where the Speaker confirmed the motion was passed when taken up in Parliament. however, President Sirisena has viewed the procedure as not being proper -  asking SLPP members to prove majority at the next instance of voting.

The twelve suggestions are as follows ;

1. The no-confidence motion, signed by atleast 20 MPs must be submitted to the Speaker.
2. The Parliament's Secretary General must inform the Speaker saying that the document is legal.
3. The Parliament's Secretariy General must inform the Speaker that the motion is in line with the consitituion and standing orders of Parliament.
4. The motion must be recorded in the Order Book
5. A copy of the book must be given to all MPs on Friday.
6. A debate on the matter should be taken up after five working days.
7. Matters stated in the Order Book should be taken into consideration by the Committee on Parliamentary Business (CPB). The CPB, headed by the Speaker should comprise government MPs, the Leader of the House and the Chief Government whip. Another group of MPs including those in the opposition including the Opposition Leader should also be included in the Committee. In addition, the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairpersons of other committees should be included as members in the CPB. The priority if the government matters in the order book must be decided by the Leader of the House.
8. Once a no-confidence motion is entered into the Order Book, the most recent date for it to be debated in Parliament should be agreed upon, with the auspices of the Leader of the House and the governing party.
9. The motion should be entered into the agenda of the relevant day and it should be announced that the motion will be taken up for debate on such date
10. The CPB should decide on the durations to be allocated to the governing party and the opposition to debate the no-confidence motion.
11. The debate should be conducted on the relevant date and a vote should be taken and the results should be announced
12. The Hansard should be issued detailing the day’s proceeding

The release ended by adding that the no-confidence motion brought against Ranil Wickremesinghe was taken up after having followed the procedure.