Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa pointed out that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena does not wear a mask during parliamentary sessions.

Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa said there is no one meter gap between MPs as per the gazette notification issued on October 15.

After Sajith Premadasa pointed this out, the Speaker put on his mask.

Accordingly, the Leader of the Opposition requested that the Parliament be reconvened with a spacing of one meter between MPs, in adherence to health recommendations. However, this request did not elicit a positive response from the Speaker.

Premadasa said he was saddened by the Speaker's failure to implement the regulations imposed by the government to curb COVID19.