Columns

By Sandun Jayawardana  

The last two days of parliamentary sittings before the 2024 presidential election offered up their fair share of drama, with one government MP crossing over to the opposition, a state minister declaring himself as an “independent” MP and another parliamentarian accusing a former minister of engaging in a “conspiracy” to frame him for a crime.

On Tuesday (3), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Colombo District MP Jagath Kumara crossed over to the opposition after pledging his support to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Explaining his reasons in a special statement, Mr Kumara said the Government had allowed the Samurdhi movement to die a natural death due to priority being given to the “Aswesuma” programme of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He claimed that many poor persons and those living with disabilities that had been covered under the Samurdhi programme had lost their benefits.

Making a special statement in the House on Wednesday, State Minister of Urban Development and Housing Arundika Fernando said he would function as an independent MP from that day onwards. The Puttalam District SLPP parliamentarian used his speech to take aim at the National Peoples’ Power (NPP). He described the NPP as an “anti-democratic group” which is taking the country toward destruction after having brainwashed the populace into accepting the lie that leaders and governments had not done anything for them over the 76 years since independence.

Mr Fernando urged all political parties and leaders to come together to “defeat the group that was taking the country towards destruction.” He expressed frustration over lack of support from among the various political factions backing Mr Wickremesinghe and expressed suspicion about a potential “unholy alliance” that was working behind the scenes.

“I will function independently from today. I will commence discussions with those who can defeat this destructive group,” said Mr Fernando, urging Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and President Ranil Wickremesinghe to unite to defeat the unholy alliance led by the NPP.

SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman meanwhile, accused former minister Manusha Nanayakkara of being part of a conspiracy to frame him. Mr Rahuman claimed that Mr Nanayakkara and another individual had recently visited an inmate at the Welikada Prison who was being held in remand custody and had offered him special privileges in exchange for testimony implicating Mr Rahuman in the crime for which he had been remanded for. The MP claimed he was being targeted because he had been playing a leading role in working towards ensuring Mr Premadasa’s victory at the upcoming election. Mr Rahuman said he planned to hand over evidence he had about the conspiracy to frame him to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

“If something happens to me, I state publicly that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should be held responsible,” he alleged, adding that he was ashamed to have sacrificed 15 years of his life in the United National Party to bring Mr Wickremesinghe to power.

In the midst of all the drama, Parliament did also find time to pass several bills during this sitting week. The Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Bill, Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill were passed with amendments while the National Minimum Wage of Workers (Amendment) Bill was passed without amendments.

The Government also tabled the Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka Bill. The bill aims to provide for the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka, to set out its powers and functions, and to provide for the establishment of a monitoring committee to monitor the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.

Meanwhile, SJB MP Karunarathna Paranawithana, who contested from the Ratnapura District at the 2020 parliamentary election, took oaths on Tuesday as an MP to fill the vacancy created due to the resignation of Ratnapura District MP Thalatha Athukorala.