Voting on 55 Million Supplementary Estimate to be Taken Again

The supplementary financial estimate was tabled in Parliament by State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene.

The supplementary estimate for 55 million  was taken up for a vote last evening after Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for a division.

While the vote was being taken, several parliamentarians entered the Chamber and participated in the voting and created  confusion.

However MP Lucky Jayawardene, who was presiding at the time, announced that there were 33 votes in favour of the proposal and 31 against, hence the estimate had been approved.

However the Deputy Speaker noted that a re-count done determined that the supplementary estimate moved by the government received 31 votes in favour and 31 votes  against, resulting in equal number.

Under these circumstances, Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala said a separate date will be arranged  to vote on the proposal.