Package arrives, but not welcomed

[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Parliament was adjourned this morning around 10.30 a.m (Sri Lanka time) following a major uproar over the report of the Select Committee on constitutional reform which was submitted today by Sri Lanka's minister for constitutional affairs Prof G.L Pieris.

A point of order was raised by Mr. Ravi Karunanyake of the DUNLF when the document containing the PA's devolution proposals and the suggestions of the other parties in Parliamentary Select Committee annexed to it as a 'rider' was brought before the house by Prof. G.L Pieris.

Mr.Karunanayake said that there was no provision in the standing orders of the Parliament for submitting such a document to the house.

Following this objection raised by Mr.Ravi Karunanayake there was pandemonium in the legislature as members of the UNP began shouting at the government ranks.

Mr.Rauf Hakeem of the SLMC who was acting as speaker today in the absence of Mr. K.P Ratnayake adjourned Parliament as he could not restore order in the house.

The DUNLF is a member of the PA government.