By Saman Indrajith

Former Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapska was granted leave of absence from parliament for three months from yesterday (18).

The leave motion was moved by Leader of the Opposition Nimal Siripala de Silva.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake demanded to know what purpose the leave had been taken for. “The House is granting leave thus it has a right to know whether the MP is taking leave for educational or medical purpose. Is it study or medical leave?”

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, who agreed with MP Dissanayake, said that it should have been better if the reason for taking leave, too, had been mentioned in the motion.

The Opposition Leader said that there was no practice or tradition of mentioning the reason when moving a motion seeking leave of absence. “We have moved the motion. If Members of this House do not wish to grant leave they could oppose it. They can defeat the motion. That’s all.”

There was no objection raised thus the motion was passed approving leave for MP Rajapaksa.

Courtesy:The Island