Portfolios deserted by ministers come under the purview of the President

November 16, 2024

President - Parliament - Prime Minister

Portfolios deserted by ministers come under the purview of the President

November 19, 2014

Chief Government Whip Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said this morning in Parliament that once minister resigns from his or her post, the portfolio automatically goes under the purview of the President according to the provisions of the Constitution that had been prepared by the UNP. If any MP has a question with regard to such a ministry, the Prime Minister or the Leader of the House would respond to that question on behalf of the President.

He said that crossing over of MPs and switching alliances were usual scene during budget debates. Minister Gunwardena said so after Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga observed that for the first time in Lankan parliamentary history an expenditure head of a ministry was taken up during a committee stage debate without subject minister or his deputy.

MP Amaratunga said the situation occurred owing to the resignation of Patali Champika Ranawaka from the Technology and Research portfolio.

There had been no deputy minister appointed to the Ministry of Technology and Research, Amaratunga said. (Special Reporter/HC) Budget 2015, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Parlaiment Sri Lanka