Parliament reconvened

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 September 2001, 10:38 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Parliament, which was prorogued by President Chandrika Kumaratunge on 10 July commenced its sittings Thursday morning. The Secretary General of Parliament, Dhammika Kitulugoda read out the proclamation reconvening the parliament. Thereafter the Speaker Anura Bandaranaike informed the House that the ruling People's Alliance and Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have formed a coalition to end the political instability in the country.

The Speaker congratulated the JVP for extending its co-operation to the government, without demanding any position in the administration to resolve the political crisis.

The Speaker refused to entertain a point of order raised by United National Party parliamentarian Mahinda Samarasinghe regarding the prorogation of parliament. Mr.Mahinda Samarasinghe said in his point of order that parliament was prorogued without informing the Speaker. The Speaker replied that in future he would not give an opportunity to raise any question on this matter.

The debate on the Registration of Marriages Amendment Act was then taken up. This Act empowers members of clergy to issue marriage certificates if registrations are held in church, said Minister Richard Pathirana moving the amended act.

At one stage of the debate, Minister Nimal Sripala de Silva said the reason for the failure of the PA-UNP talks was the request for executive powers for the premier-ship.

JVP's General Secretary Mr.Tilvin Silva (left) and PA's General Secretary D.M.Jayaratne exchanging the Memorandum Of Understanding, Wednesday, 5 September. (Photo: TamilNet)