Namal saves governing party MPs

 Monday, 05 May 2014 

First Son, MP Namal Rajapaksa has managed to protect all governing party members who were absent during the votes on three controversial gazette notifications in parliament during the last sessions.

The three gazettes were presented under the Strategic Development Act where tax concessions were granted to three development projects, which the opposition claims would establish gaming facilities.

Despite statements that disciplinary action would be taken against UPFA MPs who avoided voting for the gazette notifications, disciplinary action has been abandoned due to MP Namal Rajapaksa.

The President had issued a special order asking all MPs to cancel other engagements and participate in the voting for the three gazettes.

However, Namal Rajapaksa had left to Korea with 10 other MPs for the ‘Five Nation’ rugby tournament.

A large number of MPs were not in chambers at the time of voting for the three gazettes and it had been announced that the President had asked for the names of the MPs who avoided voting on the gazettes.

It was also announced that the President will call for disciplinary action against them.

However, once the names were made available disciplinary action against the MPs were abandoned since the list was headed by Namal and his friends.