Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is expected to announce his decision on appointing a parliamentary committee to assess the suitability of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and nearly 30 other MPs to continue as lawmakers.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Rajapaksa and a group of MPs supporting him obtained membership with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, a day after President Maithripala Sirisena announced a General Election.
After Speaker Karu Jayasuriya recognised Rajapaksa as the Opposition Leader today, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiram raised a legal point saying Rajapaksa was not suitable to continue as an MP as he was no longer a member of the party from he was elected in August 2015. Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella also expressed similar views.
Both parties will present written submissions to the Speaker on the matter this week.
Rajapaksa’s new position, however, will remain unchanged until the committee reports back to the Speaker.
Prior to announcing Rajapaksa’s appointment as the Opposition Leader, Jayasuriya had spoken to the outgoing Leader of the Opposition, R. Sampanthan, saying “After all that you have done for us, removing you would seem like betrayal. You saved us but we are taking away from you what you have.”
“No,” replied Sampanthan, “This is a matter of law. I did the lawful thing. You too must do the lawful thing.”
Rajapaksa who had been privately intimated was also gracious, telling Sampanthan to take two weeks vacating the Leader of the Opposition’s Offices and living quarters. Sampanthan had replied that a day is sufficient and Rajapaksa may move in the day after the next.
Such moving out is easy for the abstemious Sampanthan. Said a person familiar with procedures that the Leader of the Opposition gets a fleet of 5 cars and unlimited fuel, but Sampanthan who eats every day the same breakfast of two slices of toast and a bull’s-eye, asked only for one car and used hardly any fuel. Entitled to 50 employees and special security, he had 7 persons working for him and the normal security detail of a Member of Parliament.
However, when the Speaker’s decision was announced in Parliament, Colombo Telegraph learns that M.A. Sumanthiran had made the observation that 49 members of Parliament (including Rajapaksa himself) who had contested on the SLFP ticket had in writing resigned their membership when switching to Rajapaksa’s camp during the failed parliamentary coup. Contends Sumanthiran that under the constitution (Section 99(13(a)) all 49 had vacated their seats a month after the cross-over. Further it was held that when the President who heads the SLFP holds three portfolios, it is not possible for Rajapaksa to claim to be in opposition even if he claims SLFP membership. Accordingly the contention is that the President too has to resign his portfolios.
roy / December 19, 2018
1. Mahinda Rajapaksa – $18 Billion
Percy Mahendra “Mahinda” Rajapaksa, MP is a Sri Lankan politician who served as the sixth President of Sri Lanka from 19 November 2005 to 9 January 2015.
According to Forbes he is worth $18 Billion ,but it could be more.
If part of the stolen money is recovered ,it will contribute towards the weak economy of Srilanka.
Also Sira who is in the list can contribute without these dramas fooling the citizens of Srilanka
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Don Stanley / December 19, 2018
Good riddance of Mahinda Jarapassa! But his partner in crimes against the people of Lanka who turned the parliament into a cesspit of corruption must also go.
Bondscam Ranil continues to promote horse trading in the Parliament of Sri Lanka with funds looted from Central Bank just like MR did. Parliament is a UNP-SLFP corruption racket with the JVP and TNA also indulging in legalized looting of the people of Lanka.
JVP must first bring in a motion to stop MPs crossing the floor of parliament for the highest bidder before abolishing the Presidency which should be kept to check the excesses of the corrupt parliament or legislation.
Bondscam Ranil must be impeached for looting the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and financial crimes against people of Lanka.He must share a prison cell with Mahinda Jarapassa, his partner in financial crime and looting and beggaring Lanka
Both these criminal and leaders , Bond Ranil and Mahinda Jarapassa have been rejected on numerous times by the people, but are shamelessly clinging to power in the UNP and SLFP using money, instead of getting out and letting the younger generation take over and clean up the Cesspit parliament.
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Native Vedda / December 19, 2018
Don Stanley
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“JVP and TNA also indulging in legalized looting of the people of Lanka.”
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How so?
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Are you jealous?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / December 22, 2018
Post of opposition leader is given to the leader of the party not a part of the government which has the highest number of representatives. The post of opposition leader was given to Mr. Sambandan because TNA was the party not a part of the government which had the highest number of representatives. When government was formed after 2015 elections, some members of SLFP joined with others to form the government. This resulted in the rump SLFP to have less members than TNA. However a strange situation arose in 1983 to the post of opposition leader. After 1977 elections, TULF was the party not in the government which had the highest number of members and due to it late Mr. Amirthalingam was appointed opposition leader. However after 1983 riots and worldwide condemnation took place, Sinhala racists wanted to get Amirthalingam out. JR devised a plan to include government members also in the election of opposition leader and got Anura B elected as opposition leader on the basis that he commands more support in the house than Amirthalingam though SLFP had less number of members. Similar argument can be put now by saying Mahinda Rajapakse has more support from SLFP, but when you take the entire house to decide, Mr. Sambandan will have more support. Best thing is to go for a vote and get Mahinda humiliated again.
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Suranga Gunasekera / December 19, 2018
After losing the coup, Rajapaksha is still looking for alms.
A person who has no clue about democracy and the constitution is not fit to be a parliamentarian yet alone Opposition leader.
I agree he is a good leader. But good to lead who?
Definitely the corrupt politicians and thugs. Definitely the people who support racial and religious discrimination.
Is this how you want the world to label Lankans? A society thrives on tribal values? A society support violence? A society that has a majority of Buddhists but practiced by none?
It’s high time we start working together as one and bring peace and prosperity to our much loved nation.
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Asoka / December 19, 2018
Raaja-virodi (state traitor) Sambandan (his name given like that) and hardcore LTTE supporter always having crocodile tears. Go to history of this man , big traitor for Sinhalese Island. Indian and Srilankan proverb ( Indian proverb, if you see TAMIL and COBRA,kill TAMOL first, Sri Lankans saying, never ever trust any Tamil who in front of the mirror, TAMIL who going to born and TAMIL who dead)well fitted for these types of double tongue people.
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Vanguard / December 19, 2018
We are all now constitution following and law abiding citizens here, and apparently the MPs in question have given up their violent ways for a peaceful struggle. So we will have to accept the rulings of the speaker. Of course the TNA is threatened by the defeaters of terrorism, why?
Don’t talk about democracy , Sri Lanka will not know democracy even if she slaps Sri Lanka in the face. Democracy is convenient buzz word to use when it suits politicians.
Will the new government succed? Will it be re-elected? These are questions to be placed in the hands of the stupid self serving 17 percent swing voters who will decide the fate of the country.
This is the best case for a Singapore and Malaysia style dictatorship if there ever was one.
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wannihami / December 19, 2018
Vangurad, as the popular saying goes it is work putting gold sovereigns in your mouth.
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citizen / December 19, 2018
Regardless of positions MR will continue to hold in desperation to erase his family.s past, his true nature and character under pressure has been revealed. Executive Presidency needs to be curtailed to a figurehead of responsibility to Parliament like the British Queen, so that there is balance on both sides. This will prevent future cough and sneeze of EP like on Oct.26th, or the vomiting of SAITM out of existence to be favored by GMOA terrorists, or to setting ablaze of paddy field harvest and other acts. The karmic path of self effort has no real solution to bring in peace and reconciliation for gross sins. Better choose the true path.
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Vanguard / December 19, 2018
It was gratifying to see Mahinda Rajapakse talking to and getting on with Mr. Sumandiran in parliament, right after he tried to prevent MR from becoming the Opposition Leader. Supporters on both sides have a lot to learn from the real Politicians they support.
The case is still to be decided, but needless to say, the UPFA is not in government, and forms the second largest party, or the SLPP is the second largest party. No – one is contesting the fact that the UPFA is not a part of the government. No-one is losing their seats at the moment, either.
Can we say the last Leader of the Opposition did not do his job, or maybe he did it too well? One reference says this about the opposition: (New Zealand Parliament).
“The Opposition’s main role is to question the government of the day and hold them accountable to the public. National Party leader Dr Don Brash says the Opposition represents an alternative government, and is responsible for challenging the policies of the government and producing different policies where appropriate.”
Some will call this a Brash statement. :)
Encyclopaedia Britannica says the opposition should be ready at any time to take over the government. Sounds good to me.
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wannihami / December 19, 2018
Again Vanguard I say Here Here.
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wannihami / December 19, 2018
Again Vanguard I say Hear Hear I mean : )
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JD / December 19, 2018
Only thing I Thing I know that EELAM WAR V has begun. This time it is different scenario. I know in the previous eelam war, Ranil and his gang said Army is going to Pamankada instead of Alimankada.
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Citizen / December 19, 2018
Still the MS is not normal and this will create chaos to the county.
better to to get rid of him for the betterment of the country …
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hilary c / December 19, 2018
Why is it that readers of this rag like ‘no opposition’ or like a lame opposition as they had with TNA? And abhor having fair and honest elections- yet defend ‘democracy’? Cannot understand you guys!!!!
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wannihami / December 19, 2018
Because the imbeciles want a separate state at any cost. As the Vanguard says the most self-serving people of Sri Lankan origin is the majority in this CT forum
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rbh / December 19, 2018
Hillari clinton would have won if majority ladies voted for her.
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Buddhist / December 19, 2018
Its sad to note that honest parliamentarian such as Mr. Sampanthan who always stood for Law or Justice is being branded as a LTTE, but the thug who allowed his supporters to attack and behave like a ruffian in the Parliament is branded as a honest politician. Whats wrong with the media? Whats wrong with the people of Sri Lanka?
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wannihami / December 19, 2018
Sampanthan, when he is tagging behind Sunaththaran, is nothing but an LTTE, he is not principled as some people say, if he as why is so greedy for the opposition leadership?
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Tamil from the north / December 19, 2018
@wannihami, are you that dumb? He was elected unlike MR who was appointed illegally. Show one evidence that Mr. Sampanthan has been part of the LTTE. Do you racists always tag all the Tamils who fight for justice in Sri Lanka to the dreadful LTTE? Wow, what an idiot are you?
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Plato. / December 19, 2018
……..Accordingly, the contention is that the President too has to resign his Portfolios…….
A better option would be for MaRa to get back to the centre of the Universe [Medamulana] and for the President to proceed to Polonnaruwa and rest on his Laurels.
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Native Vedda / December 19, 2018
Plato
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How about sending them back to South India, Beijing, Seychelles, ……………..?
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Abimanu / December 19, 2018
A person who has served two terms as executive President, accepting an illegal appointment as Prime Minister, defeated twice in a no-confidence motion in Parliament and still clinging to the post he usurped until the Judiciary passed judgment that his appointment was illegal and ingloriously kicked out, now wants to be the leader of the opposition!!!—All this instead of graciously retiring from politics and serving the country as a statesman who is above cheap politics!!
—Has this man no shame? and more importantly has the people who support him no shame?
And , we have another as Prime minister, a person who has lost umpteen elections as the leader of his party and still arrogantly clinging to his position, who could have vigorously prosecuted the patently corrupt and the criminals of the last government but let them go to achieve his personal political agenda, who although voted into power to abolish corruption, himself embroiled in corruption no sooner elected, not being able to discard the corrupt from his party but prepared to confer on them ministries.
— Don’t we have any replacement for these men? ; should we Sri Lankans continue to put with their shameless and despicable deeds??
Shame on us all! – Cry , my beloved country!!
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Raj / December 19, 2018
If MR had been given the OL at the beginning, Sri Lankans would not have had this political turmoil or anarchy at all. MR’s point is very clear to the common man now.
He accepted the interim premiership with the promise to hold a general election. If holding elections are anathema to the UNP and judiciary that struck it down due to provisions in the 19thA, let MR have his due position in Parliament (which is the opposition leadership). Isn’t that what happened at the end! Why does the UNP leader not understand the value of the Opposition in parliamentary democracy!
RW talks about Westminister system, Queen, the West, and Good Governance, but when it comes to thelegitimate question of the Opposition. he tries to play stupid hat tricks that back fire. Isn’t that what he experienced negatively during the last few weeks. Finally didn’t he cut his wings by himself and kneel down. Just see; today he has been renegaded to a lame-duck PM of a minority government. And we all know that it could collapse any minute! And also look what will happen to the Tamil vote at the next election! That will be another interesting drama with Mr. Wig contesting against the TNA.
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Nishantha / December 20, 2018
MR was elected as MP by the people from SLFP party, as they supported SLFP. The people did never elected him as SLPP member. Unless he had been elected as a SLPP member in the ballot paper, he is not entitled to hold a ministerial post. He has to stand election as SLPP candidate and people could vote for him and if he wins, then he has the right to be a SLPP MP and offered a portfolio.
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Buddhist / December 20, 2018
Maithripala Sirisena as the Chair of SLFP has not only been a traitor to Sri Lankans (last 51 days drama) he has also been a traitor to SLFP voters. As per the SLFP constitution he has to take action against those SLFP MPs who took membership of SLPP and threw it on his face over their tweeter and face book accounts, but he did not take any action. Maithri has violated not only the Sri Lankan Constitution but also the SLFP Constitution. He has to be punished as the Supreme Court has declared that he violated the constitution.
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