Committee to probe controversial parliamentary vote for supplementary budget estimate

November 17, 2024

President - Parliament - Prime Minister

Committee to probe controversial parliamentary vote for supplementary budget estimate

May 07, 2016

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday appointed a four-member committee to investigate the controversial supplementary bill vote, which divided lawmakers on its validity and the approval.

The Committee headed by the Leader of the Opposition Rajavarothiam Sampanthan includes former Speaker UPFA Hambantota District MP Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of City Planning and Water Supply Rauff Hakeem, and Minister of Justice and Minister of Buddhasasana Dr.Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. The committee report is due to be presented at the next Parliament.

However, Chief Opposition Whip JVP MP Anura Dissanayaka expressed his concern over the impartiality of the appointments. “The Committee should comprise members who were not here for the voting. Especially the Leader of the Opposition voted in favour. He cannot be allowed to lead the investigation,” objected MP Dissanayaka.

Rejecting MP Dissanayaka’s objections Speaker Jayasuriya said: “Rajavarothiam Sampanthan is the Leader of the Opposition. Casting vote is his right and it should not affect the process of the business of the House.”

Initial counting of the vote resulted in 33 in favour of the bill and while 31 voted against. However, after analysing the results a second count of the votes resulted 31 in favour and 31 opposed. The JO and the JVP have accused the government of 'vote rigging'. AH