Sri Lanka, March 22 -- The Motion of No Confidence (NCM) brought by the Opposition against the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene was defeated by a majority of 42 votes in Parliament yesterday.

A total of 117 MPs voted against the motion while 75 MPs voted in favour. The motion was debated on March 19, 20 and 21.

The vote on the No Confidence Motion took place at 4.30 pm at the end of a three-day debate. None of the MPs abstained from voting. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MPs, the UNP member and the two members who joined the government from the Opposition voted against the proposal.

At the time of voting, 31 MPs were absent. MPs representing Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Tamil National Alliance, Jathika Jana Balavegaya and Independent Group vot...