Suspended MPs quickly vote on Budget and go home, without starting another fight

The Third Reading of Budget 2024 was passed in Parliament on Wednesday by a majority of 41 votes.

When the vote was called at 6.40 p.m., Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said State Minister Diana Gamage along with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarians Sujith Sanjaya Perera and Rohana Bandara, would be allowed to come into the Chamber to cast their votes. The three had been suspended from attending Parliament for one month on the recommendation of Parliament’s Committee on Ethics and Privileges. This was over the now infamous brawl that took place in Parliament’s Lobby on October 20. Though suspended, it was noted the MPs would be able to come to Parliament on the final day of the Budget debate to cast their votes.

On instructions from the Speaker, the three MPs were escorted into the Chamber by Parliament’s Sergeant-at-Arms and his officials as the bell sounded for the MPs to convene for the vote. The two SJB MPs entered from one door in front of the Chamber while Ms Gamage entered from the other. SJB MPs in the Chamber cheered as

Mr Perera and Mr Bandara entered and took their seats while the government MPs gave equally loud cheers at Ms Gamage’s entrance. The fact that all three MPs had been punished for a serious breach of discipline was obviously lost on a lot of them.

After the vote was taken, all three suspended MPs were escorted out the way they came. Some MPs from both the Government and Opposition side were heard shouting lightheartedly to their three colleagues to quickly go home lest they linger too long and start another fight.