parliament in uproar over security situation

Sri Lanka's parliament was in uproar on Thursday as the main opposition demanded a debate on the island's security situation.

Parliamentary officials said the session was adjourned twice in the pre lunch period as the main opposition United National Party (UNP) asked that parliament have a debate on what they termed the country's grave security situation.

Ramalingam Chandrasekeran, the deputy chairman of committees (the third highest position in parliament) who was presiding parliament adjourned the sessions when the UNP and the government MPs started shouting.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe argued that holding a debate on the situation was an urgent matter.

But the Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle argued that such a debate cannot be granted as the house was discussing another adjournment issue.

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