Govt. members walk out as 120 lawmakers back Speaker’s move 

Minister Wimal Weerawansa confers with Ministers S.B.Dissanayake and Dinesh Gunawardena before government
members walked out of the chamber.

By Ajith Alahakoon and Akitha Perera-November 23, 2018, 11:22 pm

One hundred and twenty Opposition MPs yesterday voted in favour of the list of names put forward by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for the special House Selection Committee, despite opposition from the ruling party.

Electronic voting system was used.

Thereafter, Leader of the House and Joint Opposition leader Dinesh Gunawardena (MEP) walked out of the parliament with other ruling party members, claiming they would not recognise a Selection Committee which did not have a majority representation from the government. He said the government refused to recognise Karu Jayasuriya as the Speaker from the Opposition.

Gunawardena said the government members didn’t recognise Parliament acting against the country’s Constitution.

Prior to Parliament meeting at 10.30 am, the Parliamentary committee of the ruling party and the UNP met in two separate committee rooms followed by the partly leaders meeting chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya at the Speaker’s Office.

Speaker made the announcement about the appointment of the select committee.

Speaker: As per standing orders, I hereby announce the names of MPs who will be included in the select committee.

UPFA: Dinesh Gunawardena, S.B. Dissanayake, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Mahinda Samarasinghe and Wimal Weerawansa.

UNP: Lakshman Kiriella, Rauff Hakeem, Rishad Bathiudeen, Mano Ganesan and Patali Champika Ranawaka, Vijitha Herath (JVP) and Mavai Senathirajah of TNA.

Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena said the government had been constitutionally appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa by the President. "The Leader of the House and Chief Government Whip are from our party.

"We move forward with Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister attending to the day to day issues (amidst jeering for the Opposition).

"Whether the ruling party enjoys a majority or not a higher representation is given to the ruling party in committees.

"We don’t accept the decision made by Speaker.

"We requested the representation of seven members of our party on a committee of 12, as according to the tradition the majority slots are given to the ruling party. You have acted in violation of the right of the government in Parliament and we condemn the unconstitutional decision of yours. We reject your action of depriving us of the number of MPs of the ruling party represented in the select committee.

"We are not in agreement with the Speaker’s decision.

"We don’t accept a Speaker who is subservient to the UNP and working against Parliamentary traditions. (jeers from the Opposition).

 Bandura Gunawardena: It is wrong for you to continue with Parliamentary proceedings whilst challenging the constitution.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake: According to Standing Orders, when a select committee is formed it is not considered whether the members represented are from the Opposition or the Ruling Party.

"It is very clear that there is no government since November 15. For this select committee, a vote should be taken naming the MPs. If Speaker has violated the constitution, Parliament has the authority to take action against him. A no-confidence motion can be brought against the Speaker and we will ask for a voice vote.

Wimal Weerawansa: Though UNPs organiser Anura Kumara Dissanayake says a no-confidence motion has been passed. No voice vote can be taken for a no-confidence motion. The Speaker has accepted two financial bills. According to the Constitution, only a Minister could submit a financial bill.

"This Parliament is run according to the whims and fancies of Ranil Wickremesinghe. We don’t accept you as Speaker and we will leave parliament. At this juncture all ruling party MPs leave the house."

(Opposition MPs jeer).

Ajith P. Perera: The list of names presented by the Speaker for the select committee is constitutional and hence a vote should be taken.

At this juncture all ruling party seats were empty. As there was no room on the opposition benches, seven UNP MPs occupying back benches on the ruling party side remained there.

Speaker: Voice vote will be taken (the bell rings calling MPs).

Lakshman Kiriella to Speaker: I request you to allow MPs to cast their vote standing so that the entire country can see who has the majority.

Speaker: Is the house in agreement?

The house shows ascent

Speaker: The electronic system of voting is seen by the whole world. Let’s follow this system without wasting time.

Parliament sittings were postponed with the Speaker announcing that Parliament would meet again at 1.00 p.m. on November 27 and 10.30 a.m. on 29.

Thereafter Vijitha Hearth made the proposal for the adjournment debate.