Parliamentary Debate on No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker Abeywardena Commences

The highly anticipated two-day parliamentary debate on the motion of no-confidence against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is set to commence today, March 19. The debate, scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., will extend until 5:30 p.m. today, as decided during last week’s meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Abeywardena himself.

The motion against the Speaker was officially submitted on March 5th, with the signatures of 44 parliamentarians, including notable figures such as Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, and various other MPs.

Among the grievances listed in the no-confidence motion are allegations that Speaker Abeywardena ignored recommendations from the Supreme Court concerning several key sections of the Online Safety Bill. Additionally, it accuses him of allowing the bill to progress to its third reading without a vote and disregarding calls for division during the Committee Stage.

The debate is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, March 20, at 4:30 p.m., with a subsequent vote on the motion of no-confidence. The proceedings are expected to be closely watched as they unfold, potentially marking a significant development in Sri Lanka’s political landscape.