Live Blog: Parliamentary session underway

 

PARLIAMENT DUE TO RECONVENE ON THE 27TH OF NOVEMBER. 

 

Recap of the ongoing Political Crisis: 

https://www.facebook.com/NewsfirstSL/videos/vl.2222360537995577/1654980477940048/?type=1 11.15: Outside the chamber - "The speaker's strings are pulled by the UNP and he is biased" Minister Nimal Siripala 11.11: Outside the chamber -  "UPFA decided to refrain from all parliamentary activities today until the speaker operates as per the constitution" Minister Dinesh Gunawardena 11.05: MP Vijitha Herath requests the Parliament to take action on the ongoing political crisis which has "plunged the country into an economic crisis, making the people suffer." 11.00: The house, after ruling party MPs walked out of the chamber. [caption id="attachment_270007" align="alignnone" width="712"] The opposition (left) and the ruling party (right)[/caption] 10.57: As it stands... 10.53: Electronic voting system malfunctions for a few MPs. These votes are taken verbally. 10.50: Voting in progress. Section of the ruling party seems rather empty, compared to the opposition. (Reports say the ruling party MPs walked out of the chamber once the voting was announced) 10.46: Speaker announces that the voting will be carried out through the electronic system. 10.45: MPs Anura Kumara, Lakshman Kiriella and Ajith P. Perera request for a vote by name. 10.43: "If you can't accept the Prime Minister, if you cannot accept the Leader of the House, then we will not accept you as the Speaker" - Wimal Weerawansa 10.42: "If there is an issue against the Speaker, submit a no-confidence motion against him. This parliament is ready for it" - MP Anura Kumara 10.38: "Its been one month and the ruling party still has not put forth a majority. If they show the majority, we will give them all power." - MP Lakshman Kiriella 10.35: "Today the speaker violated the constitution and standing order and he acted according to the needs of the United National Party." - Dinesh Gunawardena, Leader of the House 10.34 am: "We won't accept the Speaker's stand on the government" - Dinesh Gunawardena, Leader of the House 10.30 am: Parliament convenes 10.00 am:

• The party leaders meeting ended.
• The UNP party members meeting is currently underway.
• The Parliamentary sessions is set to begin at 10.30 PM.

Await more details...