COLOMBO (News 1st); The no-confidence motion brought against Justice Minister Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara was decisively defeated in Parliament, with the Government securing a commanding majority in support of the Minister.
When the motion was put to a vote, 152 Members of Parliament voted against it, while 36 voted in favour. There were no abstentions.
The motion had been submitted to the Speaker of Parliament by opposition parties in the aftermath of the recent incident at Negombo Prison, which triggered intense political debate and public scrutiny.
Opposition lawmakers alleged that the Justice Minister had failed to prevent the prison unrest and argued that the incident highlighted shortcomings in the administration and oversight of the country’s prison system.
Citing the Negombo Prison clashes as the primary basis for their move, opposition parties sought a no-confidence debate against the Minister, claiming accountability should be established over the events that unfolded.
However, the vote demonstrated the Government’s parliamentary strength, with a clear majority of lawmakers rejecting the opposition’s attempt to remove Nanayakkara from office.
