A tense situation arose in Parliament today (03) after the Opposition objected to Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih’s refusal to immediately allow several privilege issues to be raised, including the no-confidence motion submitted against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.
Responding to the Opposition’s request, Deputy Speaker Salih said he had received copies of privilege issues submitted by several MPs after 9.00 a.m. today.
He explained that he was unable to permit the matters to be raised immediately, as he had not yet examined the submissions.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the refusal to take up the no-confidence motion against the Speaker, claiming that the decision violated parliamentary privileges and democratic principles.
Premadasa said the Opposition had submitted a no-confidence motion containing 50 charges against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, signed by 44 Opposition MPs, to the Secretary-General of Parliament on October 9.
He said the motion was included in Parliament’s Order Book on October 12 but was subsequently rejected following a decision by the Committee on Parliamentary Business, denying the Opposition an opportunity to debate the allegations.
The Opposition Leader argued that preventing a debate on the motion raised serious concerns regarding the impartiality of the Speaker, the independence of Parliament and the democratic rights of Opposition MPs.
He further claimed that restrictions were being imposed on the freedom of speech, expression and debate within Parliament.
Premadasa stressed that the Speaker was constitutionally obligated to act impartially and ensure that both government and Opposition MPs were provided fair opportunities to exercise their parliamentary rights.
He also called for an investigation into whether the refusal to debate the no-confidence motion constituted a breach of parliamentary privileges.
Following these remarks, several Opposition MPs continued to object to the Deputy Speaker’s decision, resulting in a tense exchange in the House.
Responding to the objections, Deputy Speaker Salih assured Parliament that the privilege issues would be examined and a response provided during the course of the day.
However, Opposition MPs continued to protest the decision, while the government proceeded with the scheduled parliamentary business despite their objections. (Newswire)