The Parliament adjourned yesterday due to a lack of quorum, thereby preventing UNP Ravi Karunanayake, MP from presenting a motion on the shortcomings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at an adjournment debate.

Road Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, MP brought to the notice of the Chair that there was no quorum. Only 17 members had responded to the quorum bell while Alagiyawanna, who initially pointed out the absence of the required

number of members, too, left the Chamber. Deputy Foreign Minister Hussain Bhaila, the only government representative present in Parliament said that they were still four short of the stipulated number. Deputy Speaker Priyankara Jayaratne then adjourned the House.

It was a repetition of what transpired on Tuesday when MP Karunanayake himself had brought to the notice of the chair the absence of the quorum during an adjournment debate, thus preventing Minister W. B. Ekanayake from speaking.

Bhaila said that the UNP had to face a situation similar to that of what it had caused last Tuesday (SI)