Srilanka, Oct. 11 -- A private member's motion that was to be moved by MP Ravi Karunanayake to ban parties with ethnic and religious identity was set aside without being taken up for debate yesterday. MP Karunanayake protested the decision to withdraw it from the order book.

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne who responded to MP Karunanayake said it was withdrawn as Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and a group of MPs had handed a request to withdraw it as a Court order has already been issued banning a move to bring in legislation to ban political parties with ethnic and religious identities.

MP Karunanayake who responded said his sole intention behind the motion was to ensure ethnic and religious harmony in the country.

Opposition Leader ...