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No confidence motion against Aluthgamage?

19 Oct 2021

  •  SJB to decide this week
BY Buddhika Samaraweera The final decision of the main parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), on bringing a no confidence motion (NCM) against Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, is likely to be taken on 21 October, The Morning learnt. It was recently reported that the SJB was preparing to bring a NCM against Aluthgamage based on several issues, including the fertiliser crisis that has arisen at present. When contacted by The Morning, SJB National Organiser and MP Tissa Attanayake said that the final decision with regard to the NCM against Aluthgamage would, most likely, be taken on 21 October. “In the face of the crisis in agriculture, various parties have called for a NCM against Aluthgamage. Accordingly, the matter will be discussed at the next SJB parliamentary group meeting which will probably be held on 21 October, and a final decision will be taken,” he added. Aluthgamage was not available for comment. A problematic situation has arisen with the Government’s decision to ban the import of chemical fertilisers and direct farmers to use organic fertilisers instead. A number of agitations were held in recent days, especially by various organisations including farmers’ organisations, demanding fertiliser. During the protests, there was strong opposition against Aluthgamage. The SJB, last July, brought a NCM against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila in opposition to the Government’s decision to hike fuel prices in June 2021, and the NCM was defeated by a majority of 91 votes. The NCM received 61 votes in favour while it received 152 votes against. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) voted against it, while the SJB, the United National Party (UNP), the National People’s Power (NPP), and the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) voted in favour.


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