News
President Rajapaksa witnesses budget debate
By Saman Indrajith
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (19) arrived in the parliament complex to witness MPs taking part in the second reading debate on budget proposals 2021 from his seat in the Chamber.
He arrived at parliament premises around 11.30 am and was at his office on the second floor of the parliament complex and arrived at the chamber around 11.40 am.
It was the first time the President visited Parliament since the ceremonial opening of the Ninth Parliament and delivered the government policy statement on Aug 20.
The President arrived at the Chamber with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa while MPs thumped their desks to welcome them. At the time of his arrival SJB National List MP Tissa Attanayake was speaking in the debate. The President remained in the chamber to listen to the speeches of MPs Shehan Semasinghe and Yadhamini Gunawardena.
Thereafter, the President went to the MPs restaurant with the Prime Minister and government MPs and had their lunch there. He left the Parliament premises around 1.50 pm.