Mar 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka opposition party members clashed yesterday in parliament over a proposal to express condolence on the death of President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez.

Opposition Leader and United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremasinghe argued that the adjournment debate over the proposal to express condolence was unnecessary since condolences had been already delivered in parliament on March 08.

Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Parliamentary Group Leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, said there was no barrier to present the motion and it should be moved.

Wickremasinghe further argued that the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion Dilan Perera was scheduled to be taken up yesterday.

MP Dissanayaka hit back saying that the "Yankee" agents of US in Sri Lanka are hurt when talked about Chavez. He added that he was moving an adjournment motion and it has been discussed at the party leaders' meeting.

Wickremasinghe said he was sorry about the death of Chavez but who really fought against US in Latin America region was Castro and not Chavez.

He further said that the day was allocated for the debate on the no-confidence motion on Minister Dilan Perera but plans have been changed after a sudden party leaders' meeting summoned yesterday.

However, the Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga corrected the Leader saying that the party has requested the no-confidence motion to be taken up on 8 or 9 April.

Government Chief Whip Dinesh Gunawardena pointed out that the party leaders had agreed to this adjournment debate and the day has been allocated for Chavez's death.