Today marks the commencement of a two-day parliamentary debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. Scheduled to run from March 19th to March 20th, the debate was decided upon during last week's Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting chaired by Abeywardena himself. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. today, the debate is expected to conclude at 5:30 p.m. Meanwhile, tomorrow's session is set to end at 4:30 p.m., culminating in a vote on the motion.

The motion, initiated on March 5th and signed by 44 parliamentarians, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, alleges various grievances against the Speaker. Among these, it accuses him of disregarding Supreme Court recommendations regarding several sections of the Online Safety Bill. Additionally, Abeywardena is accused of allowing the bill's third reading to pass without a vote and ignoring calls for a division during the Committee Stage.

Further allegations assert that the Speaker improperly used his decisive vote to confirm the appointment of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, despite a tie among other Constitutional Council members. The opposition MPs claim Abeywardena's actions were "unconstitutional and unlawful."

As the parliamentary debate unfolds over the next two days, the fate of Speaker Abeywardena hangs in the balance, with the outcome of the no-confidence vote poised to shape the future trajectory of parliamentary affairs.