"Party Leaders Agreed Not To Hold Votes During Committee Stages: JO Backstabbed Us By Seeking Vote On Two Ministries Last Week:" Kiriella

Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said today that the opposition asked for a vote on the expenditure heads of two ministries, despite a decision reached at the party's leaders meeting not to seek votes during the committee stages of the budget. 

"The Opposition backstabbed us, but then again it is nothing new to them," Kiriella said addressing a meeting in Kandy. 

Kiriella also added that the Joint Opposition breached the trust of everyone in Parliament when they pulled off a 'Constitutional Coup' on October 26. 

"We have seen similar situations in the past. However, due to the existing standing orders, there are provisions to pass money for the two ministries without a problem. We are currently taking necessary measures," the Leader of the House said. 

It is learnt that the defeat of the two expenditure heads has forced the government to present supplementary estimates to Parliament seeking to secure funds for the two ministries. 

Only 23 ruling party MPs were in the House when the votes on the expenditure heads of the two ministries were held in Parliament last week.