Sri Lanka: Flood fear hits Parliament

By Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera - Parliament sittings were adjourned at 2:00 p.m. yesterday due to bad weather that triggered the threat of flash floods in the area surrounding the parliament complex.

Party leaders unanimously decided to suspend the day’s proceedings since the roads leading to the parliament complex had been submerged by rising waters of the Diyawanna Oya.

Minister Dilan Perera was the first to raise the matter and requested the adjournment of the House.

The Minister told Deputy Speaker Priyankara Jayaratne it would be advisable to adjourn the House as soon as possible as otherwise MPs would find it difficult to leave the parliamentary premises.

“We raised this issue at the party leaders meeting. They agreed to take a decision after taking stock of how things stand. Not only MPs but even parliament employees are facing severe difficulties”, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said.

Later, the Deputy Speaker, sought permission from the party leaders to adjourn at 2.00 p.m.

Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena in consultation with Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga responded positively to the request.

© Daily Mirror