The Opposition's request for a Parliamentary debate on matters pertaining to the Judiciary, including vacancies in the Superior Courts (Supreme Court and Court of Appeal), has failed to gain approval as it is repeatedly opposed by the Ruling Party at the Committee on Parliamentary Business, Chief Opposition Whip, Gayantha Karunathilleka alleged.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (6), he said the Opposition had repeatedly sought the debate, but the Government had consistently rejected the request. "When we requested this debate in Parliament during the last Parliamentary week, the Speaker of Parliament did not grant it. He instead passed the matter on to the Parliamentary Business Committee. At the Business Committee, the Ruling Party opposed it as usual."

The comments come after Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne recently declined the Opposition's request to hold an urgent Parliamentary debate under Standing Order (SO) 19(1) on delays in the administration of justice and issues affecting the Judiciary. 

On 23 June, Opposition Parliamentarian and attorney Ajith P Perera told Parliament that a motion seeking the debate had been submitted that morning with the support of 20 Opposition MPs. He said that serious issues relating to delays in the administration of justice and several related matters required an urgent Parliamentary discussion. 

He requested that Parliament allocate two hours for the debate after the day's scheduled business, maintaining that it would not disrupt the Government's agenda. However, following heated arguments between the Speaker, the Ruling Party, and the Opposition regarding the latter's request, Speaker Wickramaratne informed the House that the motion submitted under SO 19(1) would instead be referred to the next meeting of the Business Committee for consideration.