SLPP wants no confidence against Karu

SLPP Chairman Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP Rohitha Abeygunawardene and MP Kanchana Wijesekara participate the press conference 

• Charges Speaker is attempting to usurp powers of the Executive and must be removed for P’ment to convene peacefully 
• Rohitha denies chili powder attack, says sample must be sent to Govt. analyst 
• Downplays attack on police and MPs as chili powder is ‘not a weapon’

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday called for a no confidence motion on Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, emphasising that it is a “timely need”.   

“The Speaker’s recent behaviour was demonstrably partisan. The no confidence motion brought against Mahinda Rajapaksa was against the traditions and Standing Orders of Parliament. Therefore, we do not have any confidence in Speaker Karu Jayasuriya,” SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris told reporters at the SLPP headquarters. 

He said, the considering current political turmoil, presenting a no confidence motion against Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was a “timely need”. Prof. Peiris charged that Speaker Jayasuriya had been working based on political motives.  

“If Speaker Karu Jayasuriya continues this behaviour, the situation will go from bad to worse. Therefore, immediate measures need to be taken for the removal of Karu Jayasuriya from his post. It is a timely need and must be done soon,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Prof. Peiris claimed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was involved in a conspiracy to take over the Executive powers of the President. “Recent behaviour of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, such as boycotting the all-party meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday at the Presidential Secretariat, has shown he was not ready to act according to the Constitution,” he added.

Prof. Peiris also said Speaker Jayasuriya had given orders to police that violates the Constitution, insisting only the President, as the Minister of Defence, is vested with the authority to direct orders to the police. 

“They have already started the process of grabbing the powers of the President. The Speaker is unlawfully exercising Presidential powers. What they are trying to do is complete their journey and allow Karu Jayasuriya to emerge as an all-powerful figure, usurping the powers of the President.” 

Speaking to journalists, MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena acknowledged that the behaviour of United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs in Parliament on 16 November was not a constructive approach to resolving the current political turmoil. 

Abeygunawardena also attempted to defend the chili powder attack on police officers inside the Chamber of Parliament that resulted in a few MPs and police officers being taken for medical treatment at the medical unit in Parliament. He noted that conclusive evidence is needed to prove police officers and MPs were attacked by chili powder, insisting it is necessary to send a sample to the Government analyst to identify if the substance was chili powder. “Chili power is not a weapon, you cannot harm anyone with it,” he added.