SL Parliament adjourned for July 5 without debate on JM

[TamilNet, Friday, 24 June 2005, 04:47 GMT]
The Speaker Mr.W.M.J.Lokkubandara Friday adjourned the parliament for July 5 amid continued shouts and protest by JVP parliamentarians in the well of the House. Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena, Leader of the House moved for the adjournment of the parliament as protesting JVP parliamentarians surrounded him. A group of SLFP parliamentarians were seen providing security surrounding him, parliamentary sources said.

When the parliament resumed its sitting after about fifteen minutes, Minister Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena said the he was tabling the JM proposal and sat down. But the protesting JVP parliamentarians surrounded him and queried whether the JM had been signed.

Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena replied that it was not signed till he tabled it in the parliament. Thereafter the JVP MPs asked the Speaker whether the JM had been signed. The Speaker said the JM had not been signed according the Leader of the House, sources said.

As the JVP MP continued their protests, Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena moved for the adjournment of the House. The Speaker adjourned the parliament for July 5. The decision taken at the party leaders meeting held Thursday to hold the eight-hour debate on the JM Friday rendered ineffective with the adjournment of the parliament.

Parliamentarians of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) did not the sittings, parliamentary sources said.