Justice Minister survives no-confidence vote by 116-vote majority

Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara survived an Opposition-backed no-confidence motion in Parliament on Friday by a majority of 116 votes.

A total of 152 MPs voted against the motion, while 36 supported it.

The Opposition submitted the motion to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne on July 21, accusing Nanayakkara of failing to uphold his responsibility for the safety of prison officers and inmates during the recent violence at Negombo Prison.

Thirty-one people, including prison officers and inmates, died in clashes inside the prison on July 5 and 6. More than 100 others suffered injuries, while authorities transferred many inmates to other prisons following the unrest.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa signed the no-confidence motion in Parliament on July 10 before Opposition MPs formally handed it to the Speaker.