The Government yesterday won the vote called for by the Joint Opposition (JO) during the votes of the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government with 83 voting in favour, while 36 JO MPs voted against.
The TNA also voted in support of the Government while the JVP MPs were absent when the vote was called.
UPFA Colombo District MP Bandula Gunawardena called for the vote at the end of the Ministry’s debate. During the debate Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha came under sharp criticism for delaying the holding of the LG polls.
However, the Minister rejected the allegations by the JO members saying that the delay was not on his part and added that the demarcation of wards should be completed to hold LG polls under the new election law for local bodies approved by the Parliament in 2012.
Minister Musthapha told the House that he has been very democratic and he has given time for interested parties to submit their appeals regarding the demarcation of wards done by the Delimitation Commission. The LG polls will be held once the demarcation of wards are completed, he said.