28 March, 2024

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Speaker Overrides UPFA – Floor Test On November 14 When Parliament Reconvenes

Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has decided to go ahead and put the No Confidence Motion against illegal PM Mahinda Rajapaksa when Parliament reconvenes on 14 November in spite of strong objections raised by UPFA representatives at the Party Representatives meeting on Wednesday evening.

The UPFA insisted at the meeting that on the 14th of November Parliament will only hold a ceremonial sitting and adjourn for the day as per parliamentary tradition. However the UNP MPs insisted that there was no hard and fast rule that other business could not be taken up on the same day. It was also noted by other party representatives that according to the Standing Orders of Parliament the Speaker decides on the agenda for the day.

Speaker Jayasuriya said that since he already had a resolution signed by 116 MPs of Parliament he would be going ahead and putting the vote on the agenda for the 14th. A statement released by his office noted that he had also said that if necessary standing orders could be suspended in order to ensure the vote was taken to test the Government’s majority.

Since the prevailing crisis was causing an adverse effect on the Colombo Stock Exchange and the country’s economy, it was the wish of most Sri Lankans that the matter is resolved at the earliest opportunity, the Speaker said.

The JVP also told the Speaker that if there was a dispute on the agenda, a vote should be called and Parliament will vote on whether to take the issue up or not. A vote could also be called on a decision to suspend the standing orders so that the floor test could be conducted to determine if Sirisena’s illegal PM had a majority in the House the JVP said.

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  • 69
    2

    Way to go Karu

    • 38
      2

      It is very great of the Speaker Hon. Karu Jayasuriya to have risen to the high expectations of his laudable office. In Parliament, the need of the hour is “muscles of iron and nerves of steel” as Swami Vivekananda puts it. It is now amply clear. The occupant has done justice by the office which in precedence and protocol is third in the country. It is the occupier who lends enchantment and it is the hour that tests one’s mental and moral fibre.

      We can be reminded of past happenings. Lenthall, Speaker in England with all courtesy to the King, refused to budge when illegal requests were made of him. Once the King of England went to a school as chief guest. The Principal received him with his hat on. Later when told that what he did was not correct, his response was “Inside the school the Principal is King”. Yes, inside Parliament the Speaker is ‘President’.

      If the Secretary General has grown too big for one’s shoes, one needs to be cut to size and shuffled into the prescribed size. At a critical moment, has this officer become a one man Trade Union? Are the state employees SG’s minions to succumb to this call? Hasn’t the SG not read the E-Code or seen the earlier AR? How about precedence and protocol which one should have imbibed? Even a minor official is debarred from bringing the government into disrepute. It is very unbecoming of this officer to have taken refuge by invoking the President’s name in a bid to place oneself in Parliament above the Speaker.

    • 10
      3

      Basil

      Once upon a time you were keen to find out whether cars meet with accidents in Australia.

      However does the name Sripathi Sooriyarachchi ring a bell or alarm bell?

      Is it true during the impeachment days (August – September 1991) of President Premadasa then Speaker M. H. Mohamed’s moving car was boxed by three cars which seemed not to belong to his security detail?

    • 1
      0

      And don’t forget the three quite independent members ofthe Elections Commission.

    • 2
      0

      Lapatiya

      In a couple of weeks time who do you think end up like the monkey that pulled the wedge? Will it be, Hopper Sirisena, Dr Mahinda, Dinesh, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, the ministers who have been sworn in by Hopper Sirisena recently, Rajapaksa’s b***s carriers in this forum, Dayan, academics, ….. ?

      And who is going to have the last laugh?

  • 42
    1

    Hon Speaker should go ahead with the plan already decided. Good show!!!

  • 2
    51

    KAru is history is he tries to dance. Anura Kumara Dissanayake of JVP should step a side and hand over it to some one who can do it for Sri lanka. AKD is doing for himself.

  • 33
    1

    The way out is to hold a vote on the no-confidence motion and to bring to an end the present embroiligo once and for all.

  • 21
    1

    Before anything else, the question : Who is the “Legitimate” or the “Legitimacy” of the recently “Appointed” “Prime Minister” has to be decided by the Parliament. The Parliament was not informed of the “Newly Appointed” PM excepting a Gazette notification of “Removal” of the sitting PM and “Appointment” of a “New” PM. Leaving aside all arguments for and against this move by the President, the Legislature has a RIGHT to first and foremost to DECIDE and tell the country who the LEGITIMATE PM is, for which purpose the FIRST FUNCTION of the reconvened Legislature has to take a vote . As I have said many a times, this “Decision” of the President must not be allowed to go uncontested, if not a very unhealthy “PRECEDENT” would be allowed to germinate in the STATE FUNCTIONS. The country expects all 225 Legislators to shed all “Political Colours” they represent and look at the “Big Picture” that affects political stability and DIGNITY of the STATE. In this regard the SPEAKER has the RESPONSIBILITY to give effect to that movement.

  • 23
    0

    Has the Hon:Speaker resolved the issue of the Mutiny on the part of the Director-General of Parliament and his staff so as to conduct Parliamentary proceedings on the14th?
    There could also be a Mutiny by the MaRa group to prevent a legitimate vote!

  • 3
    13

    Yes, Karu then the President will dissolve …. Plan B

  • 14
    2

    This is interesting.
    An NCM against MR implies that the UNP recognizes him as the legitimate PM and that Ranil’s removal is legal.
    If so, what is the problem?
    Maithri has started the game from the end part.
    Under normal circumstances, the leader of a party whoever who has the majority should be appointed as the PM. That is what is stipulated in the Constitution.
    Having visible majority in the Parliament is the decisive factor and the accepted indicator to form a government. The President has no room to deviate from such practice.
    Appointing another PM by the President at a time the sitting PM has the majority, is high handedness and force to accept his new choice outside the Parliament, which is unlawful.
    Whoever who is the new PM, he has to prove that he has the majority in the Parliament in order to legitimize his appointment.
    President’s resorting to prorogation of the Parliament is a clear indication that he was fully aware that his choice of the PM has no majority in the Parliament at the time of the new appointment.
    One way or the other, the new PM’s appointment is tentative until he proves that he has the majority in the Parliament.
    The Speaker’s decision to accept the previous status in the Parliament until one party shows the majority is impartial and in par with all accepted local and international norms and standards.
    Attacking the Speaker by UPFA veteran politicians indicates that they are fully aware that the route they have chosen to form a government is not legitimate or in par with the Parliamentary practice and the provisions stipulated in the Constitution.
    I feel shocked to see the kindergarten behaviour of UPFA leaders, who should otherwise be a good example to the younger generation.

  • 18
    0

    Somebody must give a lead. Karu is the best man in this situation and if the this blatant rebellion is allowed to proceed, we as a nation is history.

  • 4
    0

    When a simple issue led to a crisis how best we could solve it?
    In our case, when there is a crisis between the first citizen (the President) and the second citizen (in this case second citizens – Prime Ministers), the best person to solve the matter is the third citizen (the Speaker.)
    In other words, when the President appointed a second Prime Minister while there is a sitting Prime Minister, the responsibility to solve the issue lies in the hands of the Speaker and the Parliament by right and by law. I call this a crisis created deliberately by the President because he has no power to remove an elected Prime Minister through a gazette notification, which is not legally binding. If anybody accepts that gazette notification as a valid document, he should be out of his mind!
    What I am trying to say is, at present the most important personality in the country is the Speaker.
    Therefore he should take good care of his health. This matter may have caused him lot of mental pressure. Therefore he should drive carefully. Oh, what am I saying, the Speaker doesn’t drive to Parliament or anywhere, does he? This is Sri Lanka. I should have known that. Then, he should check the health of his driver and tell him to drive carefully. Who knows he may also suffer from anxiety like many other people. Besides some drivers fall asleep while driving if they don’t get a good sleep the previous night. I am talking rubbish. How many more days to 14th? I really don’t like wait times. I want the Parliament be reconvened immediately so that we all can go back to our work. This is the end of the year, a period during which people have lot of things to do.

    • 1
      0

      Oh, just a reminder.
      There is general opinion that government vehicles are not maintained properly.
      I am talking about the Speaker, again. He should arrive at the Parliament on time, shouldn’t he? Therefore, he should instruct the driver to check the tyres, nuts and bolts, don’t you know such things, to avoid his car being stalled or derailed on the road.

  • 4
    0

    It is time for President Maithiripala Stisena to realize whether the Sri Lankans heading for a Glorious Revolution or a bloody Revolution. He should use his wisdom if Sri Lanka is to witness a Glorious Revolution. If not Sri Lanka will be a disgraceful country in the eyes of the international community.

  • 3
    0

    The end result would be endless suffering for the general public irrespective of cast, creed and faith. Rajapaksas and Wickremasinghes and even SB will go to the US. We are left with one alternative. Bomb the Parliament on the 14th with all 225 and the Prez in it, as was done to the World Trade Centre by the Taliban on 9/11. We can then live in peace.

  • 1
    0

    The Speaker mentioned he fears a potential blood-bath. The Rajapakses and the mobs, inside and outside Parliament, are ready for this. Are Karu, Ranil and the
    like ready for extra-Parliamentary action? That’s what we have come to. Rajitha,
    Champika R, Harin, Ranjan R and a few others in the UNP are made of tough stuff.
    Will Sri Lanka and her political leaders continue to make history – more bad than good.

    Kettikaran

  • 1
    8

    What nonsense? In which country does the speaker attempt to override the president of the country?
    =
    This man is a match to PUK Hamu in his inefficiency and stupid talk about democracy while the country is going to the dogs.
    =
    Kick the old bugger out of the speaker’s chair and appoint a new one under presidential powers.

    • 3
      0

      halgolla
      The President in any country not only in Sri Lanka has NO power to APPOINT the Speaker of the Parliament!!!!!
      The Speaker is a single independent authority who decides the House business. His word is the final.
      He is not under obligation to the President because he is not a Presidential coolie, but someone who is elected by majority or selected unanimously in the House!!!!
      I am so surprised of your general knowledge.
      Go and ask a Grade 10 student.

  • 4
    0

    Champa.

    V.Interesting argument.Way to go Champa!

  • 6
    0

    The speaker needs to be protected for his won good. I am afraid that if he is not given protection he will cease to be speaker. In fact he may even cease to be living. The usual ceremonial bullshit must be set aside and armed protection must be provided to the speaker. Already his error in letting bribe taking Dassanayaka run parliament has backfired.

  • 8
    0

    Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, all Sri Lankans who believe in democracy are solidly behind you. Go ahead and make history on the 14th. Posterity will salute you as the great hero who saved democracy from the greatest challenge it faced after independence.

  • 1
    0

    And don’t forget the three quite independent members ofthe Elections Commission.

  • 0
    0

    Today I was talking to people in. Colombo 12, most Muslims are not very much for RW’, but extremely worried of MR and Gota, they said they were looking forward for some change as the poor Muslims have been completely ignored by The Muslim politicians.

    To date, Muslim girls have to help their mothers in . making food items to be sold by the pavement vendors before going to SCHOOL and after school, they can’t afford tuition nor finishing studies mostt will end up marrying at very young age.

    They say the change the were looking forward was not MR mainly due to fear, they were hoping for Sajith.

    They were saying freeing Ajith and Dan Prasad has sent a bad signal, they suspect the president and wijadsa are behind it and it may be a plan to confiscate their properties Iike what was done in Slave Island.

    They also feel Ajith may be used to destroy the place like in digana and they would then be made homeless and taken over.

    People see Fowzy, Faizer Mustafa and Muzamil and the entire Beruwela Muslims as Betrayers of The Community.

    I am. Merely sharing their grievance. .

    Most house holds hardly even have enough to eat, it’s sad.

    Note :most of the population here are Muslims by many countless years of generation.

    • 0
      0

      LANKA Nitizen
      Honestly, I feel sorry for them.
      In fact, I feel sorry for all children and women who face the same predicament, irrespective of their ethnicity. Innocent Sinhalese children are experiencing unimaginable cruelty and some inexpiable things from adults. I really want to save all those children and give them necessary protection. I will definitely make a voice on behalf of them next year.
      Having said that, I wish to remind that they have a choice to vote sensibly at the next Presidential election, through a decision taken independently. There will be good choices, I guarantee.
      I don’t think the President will go for an early announcement of the Presidential election as he can now clearly perceive that “great haste makes great waste.”

  • 4
    0

    The steps being taken by the Hon.Speaker to resolve the deadlock is laudable. All parties including the President, MR, the newly nominated P.M., RW the deposed P.M. and all their parties must accept this move and collaborate to make this floor test successful and whoever shows the majority must be accepted and their appointment as P.M. accepted and honoured to carry forward remaining period before next elections.

    The country must go on without interruption to all economic and progressive activities. Further, the judicial cases on corruption must go on without interruption and the guilty punished by the court of law.

    The losers of the floor test must wait patiently for another 18 months when elections to the parliament would be held to show their strength and capture power if they are popular.

  • 0
    0

    I said in my comment above that this “FIRING & HIRING” by the President must not be allowed to get established in the Governing affairs of the country. It must definitely be contested and REMOVED . Even though, Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse and his “TROOP” are JUBILANT with the President’s “CHOICE”, it is time for them too to relax and seriously think of the question – “What if this President in the near future “REMOVE” Mr. MR and “APPOINT” another of his “CHOICE”? Isn’t this a “POSSIBILITY” especially considering the way he makes his “CHOICES”? So what “MR & Co.” must do now is to go before the Parliament and PROVE that you have the majority to be the PM of the country. If you don;t have that majority step down and it will PROVE that the President,s choice is WRONG and also he cannot simply get away with wrong choices. and his own way in Governing of the country. If, in the event you step down, please be MAGNANIMOUS to tell the PEOPLE that you did the correct thing to do in the name of Democracy and start afresh. That will be a LESSON to learn by this President and all to follow. “Mr. MR & CO”. – Please don’t allow this method of “FIRING & HIRING” by this President or any other to get established in the “Rule Books”. Please IGNORE the “ADVICE” of these “Legal Luminaries” and “Political Humbugs” and act on “Common Sense”. That is the way to SUCCESS.

  • 1
    1

    Watching the political events from Melbourne, amused by the speaker of parliament trying to upstage the country’s president.

    In Australia, a mature democracy, 99% of the country even doesn’t know the name of the speaker let alone his trying to organise the government. Secondly if he wants to be partisan, to break the deadlock on a vote for example, he resigns.

    But obviously, the poor Sri Lankans can’t expect to be served such democratic luxuries. They are only there to be used to keep the butterflies swarming in power.

  • 4
    0

    When will Silly and Maha Raja realize apart from their devoted supporters, the country and also internationally, they are making the biggest mistake in their political lives?
    How many ways have they been told bloodless coups against the constitution, does not work? Power hungry creatures.

    • 1
      0

      Manel

      The biggest mistake was when they accepted independence from white man when he offloaded his burden onto unsuspecting unprepared plebs.

  • 2
    0

    Mr Speaker you have clearly demonstrated your impartiality and class. If the country is to remain a democracy you are our ONLY HOPE.

    The whole country is behind you

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