No-confidence motion against government and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa sent to Secretary General of Parliament

A no-confidence motion against what is being described as the government appointed on October 26, 2018 or thereafter and Mahinda Rajapaksa, the prime minister appointed by that government, was sent to the Secretary General of Parliament today under the signature of House Leader Lakshman Kiriella.

The motion dated November 2, 2018 says that in terms of Article 46(1) and 48, the position of the prime minister becomes vacant only when the holder of the position dies, resigns, loses his parliamentary seat or the budget is defeated or he loses a no-confidence motion.

It claims that the appointment of Mr. Rajapaksa as prime minister was made on October 26, 2018 without any of the conditions laid down by the Constitution being fulfilled and therefore the gazette notifications 2094/43 and 2094/44 issued to announce the appointments have no legal standing.

The motion therefore seeks parliament’s endorsement that it has no confidence in Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is said to have been appointed on Oct. 26, 2018 or thereafter as prime minister, and the government that is said to have been appointed consequent to the appointment.