“As the majority is of the opinion that all changes made in the Parliament are undemocratic and inconsistent with traditions of Parliament and as the majority of Parliament have requested that the status that existed before these changes were made shall be accepted, I wish to emphasize that I am compelled to accept the status that existed previously until such time that they and the new political alliance prove their majority in Parliament,” says Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.
Issuing a statement a short while ago the speaker said: “I wish to state that these events which should not have occurred in a democratic society is an unpleasant phenomenon that took place without the use of arms.”
We publish below the statement in full:
Even though I have remained silent so far at a time our motherland is embroiled in an unprecedented crisis, I consider it my paramount duty to act in accordance with my conscience for the protection of rights and privileges of the majority of the Members of Parliament including the Leader of the Opposition of the Parliament and the prevention of the destruction of democracy that we have safeguarded up to now.
I am of the opinion that the request submitted to me under the hand of 116 Members of Parliament of the United National Party, the Tamil National Alliance, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Muslim Congress stating that the decision made by His Excellency the President was unconstitutional and undemocratic and as they are not in agreement with the said decision that the Parliament should be summoned forthwith and seek approval thereto is extremely reasonable.
When I met His Excellency the President on 01st of November, he conveyed to me that he would pay attention to the request made by me to summon Parliament and would brief me on the evening of that day itself.
Though it did not materialize, he contacted me over the phone the following day around 10.30 a.m. and informed me that the gazette notification proclaiming the summoning of Parliament on 07th November would be issued and during a meeting with the ambassadors of Japan, France, the U.S.A. and Afghanistan in the morning of the same day, His Excellency had reiterated that Parliament would be summoned on 5th November.
The Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, too, confirmed during a meeting with a group of university teachers that the Parliament would be summoned on 5th
November.
If I am to follow the verbal assurance given by His Excellency the President, it is my duty as Speaker to summon Parliament by 7th November and restore stability in the country. I consider it as the duty of His Excellency the President too to extend his support to me towards this end.
It is difficult for me to remain silent in the face of severe violation of democratic principles, forcible taking over of administration of media institutions and other public sector institutions disregarding the moderate employees and information to the effect that various perks and privileges are offered to Members of Parliament.
At a time it has been brought to my attention by the majority that the lawful summoning of Parliament has been prevented and the rights of the Members of Parliament have been usurped, in the name of justice and fair play, I have to make my stance known to the world.
As the majority is of the opinion that all changes made in the Parliament are undemocratic and inconsistent with traditions of Parliament and as the majority of Parliament have requested that the status that existed before these changes were made shall be accepted, I wish to emphasize that I am compelled to accept the status that existed previously until such time that they and the new political alliance prove their majority in Parliament.
Finally, I wish to state that these events which should not have occurred in a democratic society is an unpleasant phenomenon that took place without the use of arms.
Karu Jayasuriya
Speaker, Parliament of Sri Lanka
Full Text Of Karu Jayasiriya’s Statement:
clean slate / November 5, 2018
I just heard MS speaking live at a public meeting at which he said he was able to explain ‘very clearly’ the constitutional provisions to the Sec Gen of the UN. How he was able to do this in ENGLISH very clearly beats me. Explaining this complicated and convoluted constitution which is said to have a translation inconsistent with the original in English to a non-native cannot be within the capacity of MS. Very clearly he uttered a lie.
Arising from this, he mentioned the name of the cardinal twice. Catholics will be disappointed that the cardinal’s name is being bandied about on political platforms. In a way the cardinal asked for it. When MR’s office called cardinal for appointment he should have declined until the furore is over. It was made out at the platform that he too has recognized MR as PM. A cardinal blunder it surely is.
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Burt / November 5, 2018
He said Yes Sir! Yes Sir.
Sec Gen: What do you mean?
Yes Sir! Yes Sir!
Sec Gen: You fool: your making no sense.
Yes Sir! Yes Sir.
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Sarrij / November 6, 2018
cs
These are all politicians including the Cardinal. It’s an art of survival; survival of the fittest, kudos to Darwin.
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Amarasiri / November 6, 2018
clean slate ,
“I just heard MS speaking live at a public meeting at which he said he was able to explain ‘very clearly’ the constitutional provisions to the Sec Gen of the UN. “
Know the truth, MS is waiting for MR get 113 at the :Parliament.
Do or die. Madman and liar, Sirisena.
The saddest thing is that the people of this country don’t realize what’s going to happen ultimately.
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Rod / November 5, 2018
Even if he is restored, RW’s days are numbered and so is the UNP’s if they keep him. If some miracle happens and we he can somehow immediately throw out MR and his kith & kin, RW, and of course MS when his term is up, democracy has a chance. If not, we may as well rename the country to Rajapakshe-land!
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Sena / November 5, 2018
Eagle eye, you don’t even have an eye of worm. Ranil is no body for us but for that matter, do you think Sirisena is saint?
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K.Pillai / November 5, 2018
Thank you Mr Speaker for your sincerity.
‘The Daily Mirror’ of 05 Nov (5.20 pm) says the MS offered the PM to Karu K and to Sajith P. Clearly the RW-sack was a coup that has not gone according to plans.
Karu J should describe the situation as a ‘coup’ instead of calling it ‘constitutional crisis’.
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whywhy / November 5, 2018
I have a serious doubt that , off shoots of MARA + SIRA duo are involved in
the developments . The easiest way that MARA always followed was to keep an
eye on every action of the U N P and plotting against every step with grudge but
showing off his set of yellow teeth ! He knows the art of buying flesh ! And today
Srilankans sell anything for money and pride . I know many men in police highs
use their wives to call juniors to get things done as they have no right to interfere.
It is a kind of indirect blackmail . And there are many wives of higher officials of
many departments who are in business just using husbands’ influence ! So ,
couldn’t it be possible that Namal brothers and Daham and Chathurika & Co pushed
their fathers to their extremes for their own future ? So the plot took off ?In many
crisis among neighbours , children set up parents or parents set up children against
the neighbour and then friends and families do everything to ad fuel ! This is the
culture and how can one rule out absence of such a culture here too ? IT ALL HAS
NOW BECOME FAMILY BUSINESS . This episode comes from macho culture to which
Daham and Namal both belong . The developments need to be looked at from all
possible angles . MARA was watching the widening gap between Ranil and Gamarala
and without wasting time , came up with a plan and Gamarala sticking to S L F P
loyalty was a pass to both worlds ! But one thing is certain , Gamarala is a real thief
who stole the votes of Muslims , Tamils and a section of Sinhalese !
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Muhandiram / November 5, 2018
He has NOT specified what action he proposes to take to restore “the status that existed previously until such time that they and the new political alliance prove their majority in Parliament.” Nor has he given any indication as to whether he is going to convene the Parliament on the 7th November as promised to him by the President.
The urgent need of the hour is ACTION to restore “the status that existed previously”. By his INACTION on this matter, he has given enough and more time to MS and MR to “prove their majority in Parliament.”
Hasn’t the Speaker failed miserably to deliver on his “paramount duty to act in accordance with my conscience for the protection of rights and privileges of the majority of the Members of Parliament including the Leader of the Opposition of the Parliament and the prevention of the destruction of democracy that we have safeguarded up to now.”?
What a Disappointment? Has he been checkmated by the Promise by MR & co to continue him as Speaker?
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Mallaiyuran / November 5, 2018
There is a news Karu Comedian Speaker is replaced by Joint Comedian Dinesh Gunawardene in the News First’s web,
Dinesh Gunawardene assumes duties as Leader of House
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whywhy / November 5, 2018
1. SIRA , no another term , So joined MARA
2.MARA , many will end up in prison , So no
another win and joined SIRA to plot .
3.Not U N P , it is SIRA who dilly dallied actions
against MARA & Co . It is now clear .
4.Only a handful are able to separate friendship and
politics , many sacrifice politics for friendship.
Such people must keep away from politics without
selling their souls !
5. Srilanka is at its lowest in dependability . We don’t
live with leaders who respect our votes and it is
disgusting to see what we are capable of doing if
trusted !
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MAMS / November 5, 2018
Better late than never. Time is so precious. In the absence MPs are auctioned now in hundreds of million. In a few days it could go up in Billions. Speaker has woken up & spoken. All those weak members who were trapped by Basil’s laundered black money should have thought about their country, party & people who cast their votes. Don’t sell the peoples trust in you. That is an unpardonable crime.
Patholaya cannot be trusted anymore. It’s time people throng at President’s House in thousands and demand his resignation or nullify his unconstitutional appointment of Mara as PM. Gamarala’s executive powers have been withdrawn with 19th amendment. He has to convene the parliament ASAP or face sanctions from UN, Commonwealth, SAARC and Non Aligned movement where Srilanka is a member country.
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Amaradasa Salgado / November 6, 2018
The Speaker of Parliament is person won reputation and his credential by impartiality of his JOB confined by correctly handling of House function and keep rights of members of Parliament without interfere of outside unknown forces. Karu J…..of Speaker of house .. lost that his confidence last 36 months in his seat in Chamber.
Karu Joooo…was working in some company that his background turn into politician by joint UNP-member. He was good for Mayor of CMC . But he has no educational background or academic carrier at all?
No legal background ! Only speaking English is quite sufficient to be Speaker of House not that enough to advocator of speaker of chamber ?@
While Current ongoing political crisis that we understand Speaker of Parliament of Krau.J….even failure to read and reached to enlighten by himself to know that 19th amendment of Republic Constitution….And lost to identified key points of Democratic socialist -republic.
How can he( Karu J…) says that Ranil Wicks is legitimated Primer? Why is that he says that dismisses of RW is against Constitution ?
By taken all these several factors into account, which that we come to conclusion that Karu J… lack of knowledge of Republic Constitution? He is unfit for the position of Speaker of House!
His verdicts are only in favors of UNP in power by hook or crook?
By that principle interest are concern of that Parliamentary democracy, only solution is he should be dismissed promptly from post of speaker by members of parliament .
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Charmaine / November 6, 2018
About time people of Sri Lanka realise who genuinely care for the progress of the country. We have more gallible people than properly knowledgeable people in Sri Lanka. I am amazed that a properly educated man comes and take over the reigns than horrible uneducated bunch of rouges ruin it to the ground.
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Plato. / November 6, 2018
If President Sirisena had told the Secy:General of the UN THAT HE HAD ACTED ON THE BASIS OF THE SINHALA version of the constitution then he has also betrayed the Sinhala Language in addition to the innumerable other betrayals.
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whywhy / November 6, 2018
I feel like Muslims and Tamils must blame themselves for being betrayed by
the likes of SIRA ! The minority leaders truly believed they will be protected
by Sinhala leaders and helped Sinhala leaders win INDEPENDENCE for the
country while the truth remained UNPREDICTABLE ABOUT THE BEHAVIOUR
OF THESE Sinhala LEADERS even towards the majority Sinhala ! What Sira
and Mara are manifesting is just that . They don’t care who suffers as long as
they do what they want creating confusion and clearly breaking tradition ,
all for obviously for personal benefit ! Let alone Tamils and Muslims , CAN THE
SINHALESE TRUST THEIR LEADERS ? DO THEY STILL WANT TO LIVE UNDER
THIS KIND OF A SITUATION ?
/