Minister Gunawardena made this observation when Kalutara District UNP MP Ajith P. Perera protested against a decision by the Chair to reduce the number of supplementary questions permitted to the MPs to save time during the questions hour. MP Perera accused Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody of depriving the MP’s rights and argued against reducing the number of supplementary questions from three to two.

Deputy Speaker Weerakkody said that it was his duty to manage time and the number of supplementary questions permitted to an MP would have to be reduced from three to two. “The questions hour is from 1 pm to 2 pm. Now the time is around 2.30 pm. Still there are some more questions listed by the Opposition to ask from the government side. Therefore, I cannot allow the opposition MPs to raise more than two supplementary questions,” Deputy Speaker Weerakkody pointed out.

Chief Government Whip Minister Gunawardena said that not that all questions and all answers equal. Some questions need more time to be answered while some others could be answered in few words and minutes. “We may not agree with all instructions the Chair passed down, but by tradition we are bound to follow them. Opposition MPs should learn to respect the tradition and follow the instructions of the Chair,” the minister said. (Special Reporter/HC)