Parliamentary sittings cost Rs.10 mn a day, says Chief Govt. Whip
Chief Opposition Whip Prasanna Ranatunga has disclosed that parliamentary sittings cost Rs. 10 million a day.
The SLPP lawmaker said so while accusing the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) of sabotaging the special debate on the VAT (Amendment) Bill last Sunday (10).
Ranatunga said the ruling party had agreed on the debate as the government felt it would serve a useful purpose. Having asked for the debate on Sunday, the SJB sabotaged it by pointing out the absence of a quorum, the Urban Development and Housing Minister said.
SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that it was the responsibility of the government parliamentary group to ensure quorum.
During Karu Jayasuriya’s tenure as the Speaker, the Parliament estimated the day’s cost at 4.2 to 4.6 mn rupees.
Parliament meets eight days a month. However, the budget process takes about 22 days (SF)
