Differences arise in Parliament over PM question time

Differences arose in Parliament today over the Prime Minister’s question time with some members objecting to the procedure.

The opposition said that questions submitted by them to the?Prime Minister was not being entertained.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe however said that some questions reach him late and so he is unable to respond to some of them.

He said that officials of the respective Ministries who need to gather information related to the questions asked from him, cannot gather the information in 24 hours.

Prime Minister said that the questions must be sent to him in writing or through email by the Parliamentarians the Friday before the day he is scheduled to respond to the questions in Parliament.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake however said that submitting a question almost five days before the Prime Minister’s question time in Parliament will not be effective.

The Prime Minister however said he cannot entertain questions closer to the ‘Prime Minister’s question time’ day in Parliament and if there is an issue then the process can be scrapped.

Dissanayake however objected to the conditions placed by the Prime Minister. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said the issue can be discussed and resolved. (Colombo Gazette)