The no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila heated the Parliament today (19) at the beginning of the debate due to inappropriate presenting of the motion by the opposition. Although Samagi Janabalawega MP SM Marikkar was tasked with initiating the debate on the motion, he continued his speech without presenting the motion to the House properly. When he finished his speech, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was preparing to add an interim amendment to the motion, but Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena objected, saying that the Opposition had not tabled the no-confidence motion properly.
Although MP Marikkar tried to resubmit the motion at this juncture, Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Prasanna Ranatunga strongly opposed it. They emphasized that the no-confidence motion was not properly submitted to the Opposition. However, there was strong opposition from the ruling party to the Speaker admitting to the Opposition that they had made a mistake. At this juncture, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stood up and gave the opportunity to Marikkar to present the no-confidence motion to the House as the ruling party is ready to debate it.
Accordingly, MP Marikkar moved the motion.
