Laws to take over businesses trampling all rules /regulations passed: Historical black mark –JHU and NFF do not vote

(Lanka-e-News -09.Nov.2011, 11.55PM) The deadliest and dangerous draft bill for the take over of any private enterprise and its earnings which is loss incurring, by the Rajapakse regime was passed just some moments ago in Parliament today, confirming further the despotic trends in the country and extortionist policies of the regime. 122 voted for and 46 against. UNP, DNA and Tamil National Alliance voted against. The JHU and Weerwansa’s party National Freedom Front kept were absent when the vote was taken.

The Parliament sessions was adjourned for half an hour when the draft bill for the take over of loss incurring Institutions and earnings was presented for debate due to legal issues regarding it cropping up. The debate on this was fixed for today. But , MPs Sajith Premadasa , Wijedasa Rajapakse, Plaitha Range Bandara , and Anura Dissanayake opposed this by posing a number of issues on rules and regulations, and claimed that they were in conflict with the standing orders.

They pointed out while petitions have been filed in the supreme court (SC) on this draft bill , taking this matter for debate not only violates the constitution but is also running counter to the standing orders. Nimal Siripala De Silva the Cabinet chief whip said , the SC had given a verdict that this bill is in accord with the constitution . As the Parliamentary affairs are supreme , the debate cannot be postponed because of SC matters.. He insisted that the bill be debated , voting held and it is passed today itself.. Owing to issues pertaining to rules and regulations , the Speaker postponed Parliament for 30 mins.

When the sittings were resumed, the Speaker said, he had decided that the debate shall be held. Dayasiri Jayasekera, at the debate stated the Speaker has today set a wrong precedent. He pointed out so far, matters which are being heard in the court had not been debated in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the SC instead of hearing today the three petitions before it , postponed hearing until 15th November 2011.