JO talks today on no-confidence motion against Bathiudeen

• Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to participate in discussions with JO 
  
   

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Parliamentarians backing Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will hold talks today to bring a no-confidence motion against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, an official said yesterday.

SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris

MP Dullas Alahapperuma

MP Rohitha Abeygunawardene

The final decision on the composition of the no-confidence motion will be taken after the Joint Opposition (JO) group meeting with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at his residence today afternoon. 

Speaking to media at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) head office, MP Dullas Alahapperuma said they would consider the willingness of other parliamentarians who have already showed interest in bringing a no-confidence motion against Bathiudeen.

“We were told that there are a few MPs who are not part of the Joint Opposition that also want to be part of the no-confidence motion. Therefore we will consider their views before making a final call,” he added.

During the JO group meeting members will discuss the possibility of getting multiple parties to back the no-confidence motion, which MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana has proposed to present to Parliament. He said the JO will study the motion and structure of the document that will be presented in Parliament.

“At the moment, we cannot say whether we will present a separate motion or back Rathana Thero’s no-confidence motion. The final decision has to be taken as a group. Therefore that will be taken during the JO group meeting.” Alahapperuma said MP Wimal Weerawansa and MP Udaya Gammanpila have already started the process to prepare a no-confidence motion against Bathiudeen. However, Alahapperuma did not provide details on what ground they would present a no-confidence motion against the Minister.   

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP S.B. Dissanayake had also hinted last week that he would bring a no-confidence motion at a press conference but had not provided details. 

Meanwhile, speaking to media, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris reiterated the Government should establish a centralised point to disseminate information, especially to international and local media, so they are updated daily on steps taken by the Government.

“There is no unity in this Government. Different views are expressed by different people, which damages the credibility of the Government.”

He argued until the Government regains the trust of the public the country cannot be brought back to normalcy. 

He also criticised a step by the Government to present a supplementary allocation for Rs. 190 million to purchase new vehicles to the safety of VIPs. He noted given the situation such actions cannot be accepted.

“The entire country is in danger but the Government has decided to increase only their own protection,” he added. 

He also pointed out that if the Government has decided to increase their own protection instead of national security they would not be able to regain public trust.

Pix by Ruwan Walpola