The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Opposition MPs have called for the resignation of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, while declaring that they will neither amend nor withdraw the allegations contained in the no-confidence motion submitted against him.
In a joint statement issued by the Media Unit of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, the MPs accused the government of attempting to prevent a parliamentary debate on the allegations against the Speaker.
The Opposition maintained that it was unethical for the Speaker to remain in office while an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was underway, insisting that he should step down at least until the investigation is concluded.
The MPs strongly criticised the decision taken at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting on October 23, chaired by the Speaker, to reject the debate on the no-confidence motion unless the Opposition amended the allegations.
They alleged that the decision was influenced by the Speaker himself to prevent parliamentary scrutiny of the allegations against him.
According to the statement, the no-confidence motion was submitted to Parliament on October 9 and included in the Order Book on October 12.
At a Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held on October 12 under the chairmanship of the Deputy Speaker, it had been proposed to seek the Attorney General’s opinion on whether the allegations contained in the motion could interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.
However, the Opposition alleged that the motion had not been referred to the Attorney General despite the agreement reached at the meeting.
The MPs also rejected the government’s argument that the allegations were sub judice, claiming that legal experts had found no basis for such a position.
They further pointed out that the allegations were based on a parliamentary inquiry report prepared following a letter from the Speaker’s Private Secretary.
The Opposition reiterated that it would not amend or withdraw the allegations to accommodate the government’s demands.
The statement further challenged the Speaker to either resign from office or face the 50 allegations contained in the no-confidence motion.
The Opposition warned that preventing the debate posed a serious threat to parliamentary democracy and the rights of Opposition MPs. (Newswire)
