Mangala writes to President to re- summon Parliament to constitutionally resolve crises and to approve public expenditure beyond April 30

Former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has urged him to exercise his powers as the Head of State at this critical time and to summon the Parliament as soon as possible with the support of all parties represented in Parliament.  

According to the letter released by his office, the former Finance Minister said that this was imperative to  have the essential expenditure, including the payment of salaries to the public service after April 30 approved legally and constitutionally so that Sri Lanka acts responsibly, respecting the Constitution in relation to public finances.

Mr. Mangala Samaraweera also said that the President, Prime Minister, Cabinet of Ministers and the Members of Parliament, as well as all public officials, including the Secretary to the Treasury, have pledged to uphold and defend the Constitution of the Republic.

Any person who acts in contravention of the provisions on conviction by the Court of Appeal shall be subject to:-
(a)   Civic disability
 for such period not exceeding seven years and
(b)   Forfeit his movable
 and immovable property other than such property as is determined as being necessary for the sustenance of such person and his family.

“Failure to do so, especially at a time of a pandemic is bound to have serious repercussions for the short and long-term economic well-being of our people especially in light of international obligations and the nature of the interconnected global financial and economic system,” he said in his letter addressed to the President.