Motion to adjourn P’ment unsuccessful

Tuesday, 20 February 2018 00:31 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

The Unity Government successfully weathered the Joint Opposition-led political typhoon, which crippled the nation for over 10 days before coming to a grinding halt yesterday with an unsuccessful adjournment motion moved in Parliament. 

Deputy Speaker and spokesperson for United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Thilanga Sumathipala, delivering the official decision said President Sirisena has assured the House that UPFA will continue to support the Unity Government for a few more days, pending the Supreme Court determination. 

“UPFA and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, which are partners in the Unity Government, wanted the approval of the President to exit. But President held that such action will destabilise the country and the Government if we go against the statement made in the Parliament on 3 September 2015,” said Sumathipala.

“He consulted the Attorney General for guidance. However, the Attorney General held that he is unable to provide an explanation based on the provisions of the Constitution in the absence of national Government. So, the President has requested a determination from the Supreme Court. The President requested all UPFA and SLFP members to support functioning of the Government till the determination of the Supreme Court is received,” he added.

Moving the adjournment debate, which was sanctioned by Party Leaders meeting earlier in the day and limited for less than three hours, UPFA Joint Opposition Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said: “The Local Government elections were held after 2 ½ years. The UPFA obtained a considerable victory by collecting 3,369 seats compared to 2,385 seats obtained by the UNP. The UPFA has obtained over 44% of the total votes. This is a political decision received from an election held throughout the nation. This proves the failure of the Unity Government led by the UNP during the last three years. Going against the public opinion, this UNP is hanging on to the Government. UNP lost public faith and nobody accepts the solutions provided.”

“We want an urgent general election,” charged Gunawardena, who wanted the UNP leadership to leave the Government, making room to form a new Government.

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