No confidence motion against Mahinda by JVP -- President Maithripala Sirisena does not appear in parliament!

No confidence motion against Mahinda by JVP -- President Maithripala Sirisena does not appear in parliament!

Parliament delayed for half hour ... sessions to begin tomorrow

update 10.30 am

The Speaker has had to inquire and ascertain majority powers when an uproar was created continuously within the House saying that a no faith motion cannot be allowed and that the House should be postponed, in which instance the majority could be assessed according to a voice vote. Subsequently the Speaker said that there was no larger sound of voices heard for the government. Whatever it is, under existing conditions at that time the Speaker decided to postpone proceedings of

the House till tomorrow. Accordingly parliament is to convene tomorrow once again on the 15th at 10 in the morning.

 update 10.20 am

A debate took place about the no confidence motion being taken in for discussion within parliament after it commenced proceedings this morning at 10. At that point Minister Wimal Weeravansha objected to it. On that occasion the Speaker suggested that a decision be taken to take the no confidence for debate. As such, by this time a vote is in motion to to find out whether that debate is to be taken for discussion.

 update 10.10 am

In the instance when Dinesh Gunawardana who was newly appointed to parliament opened proceedings in the House by proposing that parliament be postponed, the Speaker objected to it. What MPs of JVP informed was that it could not be done at a time when a no confidence was forwarded.

update 10.00 am

It has been confirmed by parliamentary sources that government parliamentary group headed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have turned up for the parliamentary meeting today. In the meantime Vasantha Senanayaka who joined the cabinet of Mahinda by leaving UNP has mentioned that he would be independent by refraining from voting if vote is taken today.

 update 9.30 am

Both members of parliament of the government party as well as members of parliament of the opposition attended the parliament leaders' meeting this morning (14) and all of them was observed in attending parliament today.

What is reported from parliament today is that President Maithripala Sirisena would not be present at on the the occasion the new session is to commence. Law makers have pointed out that even if the President would traditionally be present, a session could be begun even in his absence. In the meantime Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna has forwarded a proposal of no confidence against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the party leaders' meeting held today. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has been notified to include it in the agenda. The parliament is to convene this morning at 10.