Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Chaminda Wijesiri requested Speaker Mahinda yapa Abeywardeba to cancel the banquet traditionally hosted by him after the passing of the budhget and use those expenses to suport the poor affected by COVID19.

Wijesiri reminded that a large number of people would be attending the traditional banquet as all 225 Members of Parliament would be invited to the event. "It is advisable not to host the banquet this year due to the current situation in the country," he added.

Wijesiri pointed out that former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had also set a precedent in this regard, as he did not host the traditional banquet last year due to the Easter Sunday attack. He requested the Speaker to follow the same example and cancel the traditional banquet this year as a sizable section of the country's population are affected by the pandemic.

The request, however, did not elicit any response from the Speaker.

The Speaker hosts a customary dinner for all MPs after the third readig vote on the budget. However, the government has directed the public not to hold mass gatherings due to the risk of COVID19 outbreak.