Sri Lanka’s Parliament, on Friday, passed a No Confidence Motion on the government as Speaker Karu Jayasuriya took a vote under heavy police presence.
The Speaker, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history entered the floor of the House, well protected behind hundreds of police officials.
The Parliament session which was expected to start at 1.30 pm, was delayed for over 30 minutes as government legislators had begun a protest surrounding the Speaker’s desk and chair and a government legislator occupying the Speaker’s seat.
Government legislators had begun the protest, calling for the immediate arrest of two legislators from the United National Party, for bringing in knives into the Parliament a day earlier.
Following a tense situation, Speaker Jayasuriya then entered the Floor of the House and hurriedly called for a vote of No Confidence.
He initially called for a ‘vote by name’ but due to severe chaos and violence which erupted, he concluded the vote with a ‘voice vote’.
Speaker Jayasuriya then announced that the motion had been passed and immediately left the floor, protected by the police.
President Maithripala Sirisena, issuing a statement on his official twitter account, following the Parliamentary session, said he urged all parliamentarians to uphold the principles of democracy and parliamentary traditions at all times.
He also said he will not prorogue Parliament under any circumstances.
Parliament was adjourned till Nov 19.
Courtesy: News In. Asia
