Aug 20, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena requested main opposition United National Party parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka to withdraw a question listed in the Order Book of Parliament.

Gunawardena said in parliament that time should not be spent asking for information regarding the dates of birth of judges serving in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, High Court, and the Magistrate's Court. The question was posed by Karunanayaka.

"It's better if you withdraw the question. If we use the time of parliament to ask the dates of birth and marriage certificates of people, it will become a joke," Gunawardena said.

Karunanayaka's question posed to the Justice Minister had asked for names and dates of birth of the judges as well as their qualifications and experience.

He had also requested to know which judges have been provided official quarters and if not whether they are paid a housing allowance.

"In the absence of the Constitutional Council, many judges have been appointed so it is important for us to find out their dates of birth," Karunanayaka said.