Speaker conspiring to create negative impression of MR appointment: SLPP

Chairperson of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Prof. G.L Peiris speaks during the press conference 

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday accused that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had been working as an agent of Ranil Wickremesinghe, to create a negative impression among the international community over the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.

“Karu Jayasuriya has been meeting heads of foreign diplomatic missions to discuss the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Premier, which is an unacceptable move,” SLPP Chairperson Prof. G. L. Peiris said, addressing a press conference in the Party headquarters. 

He pointed out that the meetings between the Speaker and heads of foreign diplomatic missions had violated the traditions of the Parliament.

“The Speaker was saying that President Maithripala Sirisena had not consulted him to prorogue Parliament, but according to the Constitution, President is vested in power to do so. Therefore he does not have to consult the Speaker.”

He noted that certain actions of the Speaker had negatively affected the economy. “After the Speaker’s meeting with heads of foreign diplomatic missions, several countries had issued travel advisories.” He said that travel advisories could be one reason for the reduced arrival of tourists to Sri Lanka affecting the economy.

Peiris also went on to say that the No-Confidence Motion handed over to the Speaker regarding Mahinda Rajapaksa was in a way an acceptance of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister. “If someone doesn’t hold a position, that particular person cannot be removed. Therefore the United National Party (UNP) had accepted Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister,” he said.