The no-confidence motion on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was handed over to Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne today (05).
It was handed over by the Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella. The NCM was signed by 44 parliamentarians including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, MPs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Rohini Kumari Wijeratne, Hesha Vithanage, Mano Ganesan, Rishad Bathiudeen, M.A. Sumanthiran, S.M. Marikkar, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Thalatha Atukorale, Vijitha Herath and Chandima Weerakkody.
The no-confidence motion alleges that the Speaker had ignored the Supreme Court’s recommendations pertaining to Sections 13, 17, 20, 33 (6), 34 (1), 35 (1), 21, 22 and 33 of the Online Safety Bill.
Abeywardena is also accused of allowing the Third Reading of the Online Safety Bill to be passed without a vote and disregarding the Chief Opposition Whip’s call for a division at the Committee Stage.