Validity of Unity Government called into question by Joint Opposition in Parliament

The validity of the  National Unity government  with the lapsing of the agreement between the UNP and SLFP was called into question by the Joint Opposition and JVP in Parliament today.

JO parliament group and MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said the Government has exceeded the number of Cabinet Ministers stipulated in the Constitution. “The National Government was formed subsequent to a Parliamentary motion in 2015. The UNP-SLFP MoU to work in a National Government expired on December 31. As per the Constitution, the number of Cabinet Ministers should be limited to 30,” he said.

 Chief Opposition Whip and JVP Leader Anura Dissanayake too said that the number of Cabinet Ministers was increased to 48 and the number of Deputy Ministers was increased to 45 under the pretext of National Government.

“The terms of the agreement between the two parties has lapsed.  Has the Speaker received the renewed agreement of the two parties? The Speaker should be duly informed if the agreement has been extended,” he said.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told the House has not he so far not received any official communication over a new agreement between the two parties or an extension of the existing agreement.  

Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said that the Prime Minister would reply the question at a future date.

(CK)