A verbal battle, where strong words were exchanged in the lobbies of Parliament, raised eyebrows among opposition MPs.

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who is also the official Government spokesperson, and former Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake lambasted Minister Rauff Hakeem, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader.

“This is a shameful thing to do,” lamented Senaratne.“You don’t know what gratitude is. We have done so much for your party and you still behave this way. Don’t forget there are more Muslims in our party too,” declared Karunanayake. He claimed the UNP has done so much for the SLMC. Hakeem responded angrily that their remarks would have only strengthened his and his party’s resolve to vote against the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Bill last Thursday.

The reason for the angry responses came after Hakeem made it known that the SLMC parliamentarians would not support the Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Bill in Parliament. The Bill was, however, passed by a two thirds vote later.

Some United National Party (UNP) leaders said Mr. Hakeem was forced to take up a position against the Bill only because his beta noire Minister Rishad Bathiuddin had also voiced his protests over the Bill. Mr. Bathiuddin leads the Sri Lanka Makkal Katchi.

However, the two Ministers fell in line after Government leaders persuaded them to support the Bill. Of course, they won some concessions too.

Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha, who piloted the passage of the Bill by accommodating all the amendments that were proposed, was later heard to say, “We proved the supremacy of Parliament”.

Courtesy:Sunday Times