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SJB, JVP to boycott meeting called by PM
View(s):The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) yesterday announced it would boycott tomorrow’s Temple Trees meeting called by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss the Covid crisis with all members of the last Parliament.
Issuing a statement, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the practical solution to the prevailing crisis was to reconvene the last Parliament under the leadership of former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. He argued that this was essential given that only Parliament has the authority to look into State finances and pass relevant legislation necessary to counter the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mr Madduma Bandara took issue with the response sent by Presidential Secretary P.B. Jayasundara to a joint letter sent by a group of party leaders to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on April 26. He pointed out that the joint letter gave a written assurance that if the President reconvened Parliament, opposition parties would offer “unconditional support” to the Government’s efforts to eradicate COVID-19.
Earlier, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) also said it was not attending the meeting.