Financial crisis imminent - MP Samaraweera
The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs boycotted Parliament sittings for the second day, yesterday.
In the absence of members from the government’s side, Parliament, which met with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, took up an adjournment motion moved by United National Party (UNP) MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe on the detrimental impact of the current political crisis on the country’s tourism.
The debate, which commenced around 3.00 pm, continued till 6.30 pm with the participation of UNP, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members.
At the commencement of the House, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the “so-called” new government had not presented any law, regulation or bill for approval of the House during the past month. “For the first time in history, the government is boycotting Parliament. This is because it lacks the majority,” he said.
UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera said that payment of public servants’ salaries and pensions from January 1 would be illegal as there had been no Budget or Vote on Account approved by the House.
“It has been a month since this government with no international recognition was formed, and if it were to continue till the end of December, the nation would face a financial crisis in 2019. I urge the President to appoint a legal government without putting the country in trouble,” he added.
A series of privilege issues were brought to the attention of the Speaker by UNP MPs, yesterday, looking for his intervention and remedial actions to ensure their rights and security.
UNP MP Rauff Hakeem said that even though the Speaker had stated that there was no Prime Minister, Government or Cabinet in the country following the passage of the No-Confidence Motion, print and electronic media had denied it in their news reports. He deemed it a breach of MPs’ privileges.
UNP MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said that MP Edward Gunesekera had been offered Rs.200 million as an advance to switch his political allegiance. “Another Rs.100 million had been promised after the crossover,” he said.
UNP MP Sarath Fonseka urged the Speaker to summon the IGP within 48 hours, to ask him on the progress of investigations into the accusations against him over the conspiracy to kill the President and the former Defence Secretary.
“The President had told foreign correspondents that he would not appoint me as PM because of my involvement in the assassination plot. I have never dreamt of becoming the PM; this allegation must be investigated immediately. If I had done anything wrong, then jail me,” he said.
UNP MP S.M. Marikkar also raised concerns over the the live Parliament coverage of Rupavahini and ITN being replaced with the UPFA press conference that was conducted in a committee room in Parliament. He also proposed that the matter should be brought before the Privileges Committee.
UNP MP Vadivel Suresh complained to the Speaker that the police had not taken action regarding a complaint he made on the threats made on his life.
“During a meeting I had in my electorate, a group of outsiders created an issue inciting racism. They had planned to attack me with petrol bombs. I lodged a complaint with the Passara Police, but no action was taken against those responsible,” he said.
‘Police impersonators in Parliament’
Suspicions have been raised with regards to the summoning of police into the Parliament Chamber, recently, Wimal Weerawansa alleged.
He was speaking at a press briefing held at Parliament, yesterday afternoon.
He said a group of individuals impersonating police officers were among the team summoned inside the Chamber, while others were not attached to the Parliament Police. Weerawansa added that they had urged for an investigation into the matter.
Police officers not attached to the Parliament Police were never allowed inside the Chamber; such a situation had never occurred in the past, he said.
‘Bond Report soon in Sinhala, Tamil’
President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed to issue the Sinhala and Tamil translations of the Bond Commission Report within two weeks’ time, Dullas Alahapperuma said yesterday.
He was addressing the press at a briefing held at Parliament, yesterday afternoon.
Alahapperuma said that the debate on the Treasury bond scam had not been held as there were no Sinhala and Tamil translations of the report submitted by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating the issue.
He added that the previous government had not taken action based on the recommendations forwarded by the Bond Commission.
However, those recommendations would be implemented in future, he said.
Bandula Gunawardena said they would take action against those involved in the bond scam.
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