Rebel MP given TNA time during budget debate

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 November 2003, 04:15 GMT]
Tamil parliamentarian from the hills, Mr.V.Puthirasikamany, who quit the People's Alliance (PA) protesting against the Deepavali day march organized by the PA, spoke in Sri Lanka's parliament using the time allocated to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) during the debate on budget, local media reported.

When another Member of Parliament allied with PA, Jagath Pushpakumara, raised objections to Puthirasigamany using time from TNA's allocations, the Speaker rejected Pushpakumara's objection, parliamentary sources said.

Mr.V.Puthirasikamany resigned from the People’s Alliance (of which the SLFP is the main constituent) protesting what he said was Ms.Kumaratunge's adamant stand on holding the demonstration in Colombo on the Deepavali day.

Mr.Puthirasikamany after announcing his decision to quit the PA in Parliament, sat with the opposition parliamentarians. He said that he would be sitting with the Tamil National Alliance parliamentarians in the future.