Ranil calls on Speaker to issue directive to table Yugadanavi agreement in Parliament

Thursday, 9 December 2021 00:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says futile to raise the matter with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who “doesn’t even attend Budget debates”
Chief Opposition Whip tells Speaker to perform his duties without being biased

UNP Leader and MP Ranil Wickremesinghe

UNP Leader and MP Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to issue a directive to Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle to hand over copies of the signed agreement pertaining to the Yugadanavi Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya to Parliament.

Speaking in Parliament, Wickremesinghe inquired as to the reason why the Government had not yet tabled the Yugadanavi Power Plant agreement in Parliament, noting that it relates to public finances.

Wickremesinghe pointed out that it was futile to raise the matter with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who he said, “doesn’t even attend Budget debates,” and suggested to the Speaker that Finance Ministry Secretary Attygalle, who signed the deal, table copies of it in Parliament.

“If the directive can be issued by the Speaker, the Finance Ministry Secretary can handover a copy as early as tomorrow,” the former Premier pointed out.

Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella said the Speaker was not a representative of the Government, but a representative of Parliament and for him to perform his duties without being biased.

Noting that the power over public finances lies with Parliament, he charged that the Speaker’s lack of directives had led to this situation.

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