New Appropriation Bill in the works

• Experts consulted to formulate new Appropriation Bill 
• Fuel price formula may also be scrapped 
• Dullas says removal of RW security short-sighted

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Discussions to formulate a new Appropriation Bill, to be presented to Parliament as part of the interim-Budget planned, have already begun, a top official of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) said yesterday, adding that the much-talked about fuel price formula may also be scrapped to ease public pressure. 

MP Dullas Alahapperuma said the fuel price formula had put unnecessary pressure on the public, leading to a decline in living standards. Alahapperuma pointed out that the mismanagement of the United National Party (UNP) was responsible for the recent currency depreciation. 

“The public does not have to be afraid of the devil’s day anymore,” he said, referring to the tenth of every month when new fuel prices were announced by the Finance Ministry under the price formula. He also said that discussions had been started with the participation of experts to prepare a new Appropriation Bill.” 

He also condemned Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for calling a party representatives meeting in Parliament. 

Jayasuriya had summoned a meeting of party representatives after 129 MPs signed a petition urging the Speaker to reconvene Parliament. 

According to Alahapperuma, the Speaker of Parliament had acted beyond the parliamentary tradition to summon a meeting at a moment when Parliament had been prorogued. The UPFA will meet the Speaker today to discuss matters related to the prorogation of Parliament.

Alahapperuma agreed that reducing the security of Ranil Wickremasinghe was a “wrong decision” and acknowledged Wickremesinghe’s level of security should be increased. 

“Ranil Wickremasinghe had been appointed Prime Minister four times as well as the Opposition leader, therefore he deserves to have a considerable number of security personnel.” 

He also stated that the Police had the responsibility to provide sufficient security personnel for the protection of Wickremesinghe and also requested that the Police take necessary measures to provide security for him.

Alahapperuma noted that global actors such as the United States Department of State and European Union, who raised concerns over the recent political development in the country, had not issued any statement on the delay of Provincial Council elections.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa claimed that according to the Constitution, the support of 113 members was not needed to appoint a Prime Minister. He pointed out that the President was the head of the state who was elected through the public’s vote and vested with the power to prorogue Parliament.