UNP/TNA request for Select Com. on Opp.Leader post dismissed

A motion seeking the appointment of a Select Committee of Parliament to look into the eligibility of MP Mahinda Rajapaksa to hold the post of Opposition Leader was dismissed by the Speaker today.

A group of UNP and TNA MP s had handed over to the Speaker the Motion alleging that Mr. Rajapaksa has ceased to be a member of the SLFP having obtained membership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and hence was not entitled to be a MP.

The motion called on Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to suspend Mr. Rajapaksa from the Opposition Leader’s post until the said select committee completes the inquiry in two months.

However Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri who made an announcement on behalf of the Speaker in Parliament today said that the legality of this matter must be settled in court of law and Parliament has no powers to go into such matters.

He reiterated that Mr. Rajapaksa would continue as Opposition Leader as he has been recognized as his Party in the Opposition commands the largest number of seats.