The TNA’s Batticaloa District Parliamentarian S. Viyalenderan, who was sworn in as Deputy Minister of Regional Development (Eastern Development) on Friday kept his plans a secret from a Parliamentarian colleague though they spent nearly 24 hours on a flight from Canada to Colombo with a transit.
Mr Viyalendran and TNA National list MP K. Thurairatnasingham were invited by the Tamil community in Canada.
After the event they boarded the flight together and were seated in adjoining seats during the journey.
When they landed Mr Thurairatnasingham was informed that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had summoned a meeting at the Parliament complex and his presence was essential. Attempts by the TNA to convey the message to Mr Viyalenderan were not successful.
Instead from the airport he had been driven to a hotel near Katunanayake where he rested awhile and then driven to the newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence. A former UNP Parliamentarian reportedly brokered the deal while the MP was still in Canada.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to vacate his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo this morning, a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) source said.
The Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed by a majority of 150 in parliament today. However the opposition MP’s were absent during the voting.
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