Parliament begins - UPFA MPs again boycott sessions

Parliament sessions commenced a short while ago under Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. While MPs from the United National Party (UNP), Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are present in the House, MPs representing the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) have again boycotted sessions. 

Speaking in Parliament, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella reiterated that there was currently no government in the country.  

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera pointed out that though it has been exactly one month now that the so-called government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa had been appointed, it had been unable to show its majority in Parliament. He further noted that there had so far been no Budget in place for 2019. This would mean that they would be unable to pay the salaries of government employees by January, 2019, he added. 

UNP MP Vadivel Suresh said there was a serious threat to his security. He alleged that when he went to his electorate, outsiders were attempting to come and assault him. He said attempts were also being made to hurl petrol bombs at him and claimed police have so far failed to arrest any suspects. He asked that the Speaker takes steps to ensure the safety of MPs.

Several MPs from the UNP and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) raised issue over certain media continuing to refer to Mahinda Rajapaksa as 'Prime Minister' and former Cabinet Ministers as 'Ministers' despite the fact that Parliament had passed two no faith motions against them. This was illegal and the privileges of MPs were being violated as a result of this action, they claimed. 

Many MPs belonging to the United National Front (UNF), including the UNP, SLMC and ACMC are praising the conduct of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in ensuring that Parliamentary proceedings are being conducted, and for "safeguarding democracy" at a time when the country is in the grip of an unprecedented Constitutional Crisis. UNP MP Navin Dissanayake noted that he had associated with great leaders such as Gamini Dissanayake and Lalith Athulathmudali, but Speaker Jayasuriya's conduct during the current crisis is even more courageous. 

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya also thanked UNP MP Chaminda Wijesiri for reminding him that there was a time when the UNP was collecting signatures against him, claiming he was giving too much time for MPs in the Opposition. 

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