Colombo, Sri Lanka – Parliament on Thursday (24) defeated a no-confidence motion against Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara by a majority of 116 votes.
The motion was rejected after 152 Members of Parliament voted against it, while 36 MPs voted in favour. There were no abstentions.
The Opposition tabled the motion in connection with the recent controversy surrounding Negombo Prison. It was formally submitted to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne on 22 July.
During the debate, Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna alleged that the Justice Minister was “asleep after a booze” when the incident at Negombo Prison occurred and claimed the Minister “was not aware of what was going on.”
Archchuna further stated, “I will come to Parliament in 2029 as well and will see to it that Minister Nanayakkara is sent to prison.”
Responding on behalf of the Government, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected the criticism, saying the Justice Minister’s personal life was unrelated to the issue under debate.
“The Justice Minister having a drink is his personal business. These MPs speak as if they put soda into the Minister’s drink,” Samarasinghe told Parliament.
He maintained that Minister Nanayakkara had acted appropriately following the prison incident, stating that he had fulfilled his responsibilities and taken the necessary steps in response to the clash.
With the defeat of the motion, Minister Nanayakkara retains the confidence of Parliament.
