SJB MP rushes in panting to move adjournment motion amid jokes and laughter

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s attempt to move an adjournment motion on the “current situation of the country” for debate nearly ended in disastrous embarrassment on Wednesday.

The motion was due to be moved by SJB Kurunegala District parliamentarian Thushara Indunil Amarasena. When Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe called on the MP to move the adjournment motion to begin the debate, he found that Mr Amarasena was not in the chamber. He then turned to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to ask where his MP was. Panicked SJB MPs appealed to the Deputy Speaker to give them a minute as Mr. Amarasena was on his way.

Government MPs, though, pointed out that it was the SJB that had asked for the debate in the first place and urged the Deputy Speaker to adjourn proceedings for the day as the MP who was supposed to move the adjournment motion was not present.

Just as the Deputy Speaker prepared to adjourn proceedings, Mr. Amarasena entered the chamber. Clearly out of breath, he tried to excuse his behaviour by saying that he had stepped outside as Parliament officials had told him that one hour would be taken up for questions and answers, only to be told by the chair that the hour had already passed.

Like many MPs in today’s legislature, Mr. Amarasena is clearly not used to much physical exertion, and it took him a while to get his breath back and properly start presenting his motion. Nevertheless, he finally did so, and the debate got underway amid some jokes and laughter at his expense from the government benches.