Easter Attacks PSC: Speaker Dismisses Sirisena’s Allegations
The Speaker dismissed allegations levelled against him yesterday by President Sirisena, where he claimed the Speaker did not grant due recognition nor take any action regarding an official communique he shared with the Speaker, in which he asked for suspension of Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) hearings due to impact on national security.
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya
The Speaker’s office has addressed Sirisena’s allegations in a letter,noting although Sirisena claims he ordered suspension of the PSC in a letter, it was in fact a letter from the Presidents Secretary notifying him of the concerns Attorney General had raised on impacts to ongoing cases in the Supreme Court.
The Speaker’s Office further noted taking the contents of the letter into account, measures were taken to bring it before the attention of the PSC members promptly in order to further ensure the proceedings dont result in any impact on national security. The letter notes there was no requirement for the contents regarding a select committee to be tabled before the Parliament.
The Speaker’s office also emphazises on the fact that he is not authorized to suspend hearings of the PSC and its sole authority lies with the Parliament.
We publish below the letter in full:
