Bandula slams attempt to silence opposition

Joint opposition member Bandula Gunawardena today accused Parliament of attempting to silence the voice of the opposition.

Speaking during the 2016 budget debate?Gunawardena said that the opposition should be given a fair chance to express their views on issues.

Gunawardena had requested for extra time to make a speech on the budget allocation for the Education Ministry but Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala turned down the request.

The former Education Minister then said that he will take some time from the time allocated for United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage to speak in Parliament today.

However Sumathipala said that?Aluthgamage, who was not in Parliament at the time, was on his way and so his time cannot be taken.

Gunawardena then cut short his speech and said that he would make a statement outside Parliament on what he wants to say on issues related to the Education Ministry. (Colombo Gazette)