The UNP walked out of the Chamber of the House yesterday morning in protest against the government’s decision to restrict the sittings to one day for this week.

Chief Opposition Whip Joesph Miachel Perera said the UNP had wanted the government to have sittings on the 19th and 20th excluding the 18th as the day fell on the 4th anniversary of the President’s assumption of office.

"We were willing to compromise on one day but the government did not agree to our demand," MP Perera said.

However, leader of the House Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the government had agreed to hold sittings yesterday (17th) and on Friday (20) with extended hours of sittings to accommodate the UNP and JVP’s demands but they had not agreed to it.

"Only the TNA leader R. Sampanthan agreed to this decision and hence we have decided to adjourn today to meet again on December 8th, Minister Silva said.