Unhappy about malfunctioning Chamber audio system, the Joint Opposition charged the Government and the Parliament officers for conspiracy. Joint Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardena accused Government for plotting to disrupt the debate and the vote, which the Joint Opposition is confident to win.

“We brought the no-confidence motion during the Budget days last year and it took six months to get a debate date. Now that the debate is finalised, disruption in the audio system is used to prevent the debate. The audio system has no serious fault as far as we know. In response to our protest Government is willing to bring in FM mics and speakers to the Chamber to which we have objected,” he said highlighting Parliament is not place to use FM mics and politicians should keep both hands free to express their feelings while on feet.

MP Wimal Weerawansa accused the Government for taking a new path of killing two birds from one stone. “All natural disasters take place during this Government enabling them to postpone the debate. First came the floods, then the Salawa camp explosions, and today the malfunctioning sound system. Making use of the Salawa camp incident the Government will now be able to move the army camps in the North and also to call tenders for ammunition and military equipment purchase,” said Weerawansa. (AH)