3 May, 2024

Blog

Speaker Responds To Sirisena’s Belligerent Letter: Listening To 122 MPs Amounts To Parliamentary Democracy

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya issued a strong statement responding to President Maithripala Sirisena’s letter, affirming that the correct procedure was followed when adopting the No Confidence Motion against Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In a strongly worded letter, Jayasuriya said he informed the MPs thrice that he would conduct a voice vote on the No Confidence Motion due to continued disruption by pro-Rajapaksa MPs.

Reminding Sirisena of the circumstances under which Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed the Prime Minister in January 2015, Jayasuriya said Sirisena sought a mandate to appoint Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister, subsequent to his appointment as the President.

Jayasuriya said pursuing a collective decision adopted by 122 Parliamentarians was his duty as the Speaker. This, he said, amounted to Parliamentary democracy. He also added that he had set foot to Sirikotha, the UNP headquarters, and had refrained from engaging in any party activity since his appointment as the Speaker.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 4
    16

    I was told there is a video clip in circulation in. a private Fb group that shows Faizer Mustafa raising his hand towards the speaker, people say he will trying to. Assault too with others.

    What a disgrace,, If this is true , next he will assault the president also and takeover Sri. Lanka

    • 11
      0

      RAN

      Faizer Mustafa raising his hand towards the speaker

      There are some other throwing the paper trash can on to him

      • 6
        0

        To hell with the parliament and democracy ……….. where does Sirisena now fit in the plot to kill him and Gota into all this? ……. I thought all this creation of chaos was about the plot!

        What happened to the blooming plot?

        • 2
          0

          Nimal Fernando,

          Nalaka De Silva will be offered a Diplomatic post and Namal Kumara will become an MP in Parliament from the SLPP.

    • 27
      2

      Excellent! Mr. Speaker, don’t give in to President’s tyranny.
      This behaviour of JO MPs are unacceptable.
      Now the entire country is witnessing what actually is happening in the Parliament.
      I am appalled at this behavriour of JO MPs whom I thought are democratic and decent law abiding people.
      I seriously suggest that people should keep the Joint Opposition UNDER PROBATION for at least ONE YEAR or even MORE until they become suitable to run the country.
      Going by the way of their behaviour, it is highly dangerous to hand over the country for people like them because there are all the signs that they will abuse power and act tyrannical.
      If this is how they behave by just having power for two weeks, I can’t imagine where will they take our country.
      The way they act threatening the Speaker is SHOCKING.
      OMG, former President doesn’t understand, Sirisena and a section of JO members are all out to ruin his image locally and internationally perceiving him as a power hungry man who doesn’t respect Parliamentary democracy and the Constitution.
      Former President doesn’t understand what I said is coming true.
      Sirisena and some JO members are trying to ruin him politically, making him unpopular and remove him from politics.
      I am warning the Speaker. Please protect your life.
      I don’t want Sri Lanka to go down the history as a country which killed her Speaker to grab the power in the Parliament.
      OMG! I don’t believe what is happening in the Parliament right now.
      I am someone who supported JO for the last 4 years!
      But, I am telling, they are NOT SUITABLE to run the country. They are violent, thuggish, indecent lawless people.
      Nowhere in the world MPs threaten a Speaker rounding him like this.
      JO doesn’t have the power yet. Without power if they behaviour like this, with power what wouldn’t they do????

      • 15
        0

        Dear Amarasiri and Native Vedda,
        .
        Please read what honest and sincere Champa has written. I was trying so hard to tell you that this Champa is an honest person.
        .
        I’m not finding fault with the two of you, who’ve been guiding us so correctly for so long. I’d just like to pay a tribute to Champa, and in doing so, draw the attention of all readers to the fact that people like Champa, who were honest supporters of the Rajapaksas, are deserting him. A separate comment later on how My3 is losing even more support – starting with me!

        • 8
          1

          It is too early to judge it Mr Sinhala Man.

          Champa has been inconsisten all the past few weeks.

          So, I think we the democracy lovers should wait to make him or her out.

          Thank you,

          Bunjappu

          • 1
            0

            Bunjappu
            I told you many times, I am my own master.
            I support anybody, not necessarily to be MR and JO, but ANYBODY, as long as their actions are acceptable to me.
            If their actions are against my principles, I criticize them. If their actions are in par with my principles, I support and praise them. My opinion is as simple as that.
            If you are talking about my stand that Mahinda’s appointment is legal, I still stand by what I said. That is not an inconsistency.
            And I still stand by what I said about Parliamentary democracy and the need to respect people’s mandate in the Parliament, no matter which party owns it and I condemn horse trading and double crossing who matter which side does it.
            Finally, I wish to repeat, Sri Lanka is seriously in need of new leaders who pose as good examples to the younger generation.

        • 5
          1

          Dear Sinhala Man,
          I think judgement on Champa should be reserved. Champa is given to melodramatic statements. and changes positions quite frequently. This is not the first time. Honesty usually is coupled with consistency. Sudden switches should be taken with a pinch of salt. Vasantha Senanayake is a good example.

          • 1
            0

            old codger
            My reply to Bunjappu applies to you, too.
            I challenge you, quote and show me when and where I change my judgement.
            Go ahead. List them and show me. Don’t be shy.
            It is not I, but YOU ALL who PRAISE ME as and when my comments are in favour of the side you support and CONDEMN ME as and when my comments are against the side you support.
            Ok, go ahead and prove your allegation!

            • 1
              1

              Champa

              Stop being a stupid bigot.

        • 1
          0

          Sinhala_Man

          I have no problem with Champa or any descent and rational commentators hence I rarely respond to them.
          However I have noticed from the beginning of this crisis that Champa has shifted her political position, a welcome change.

          The people would have seen through Mahinda’s masked face. Probably his magic is waning, ……… his campaign managers must be thinking hard to revitalise their racist message. It worked and will work to a limited extend unlike before. If I were him I would make the hard decision and quit politics altogether before being disgraced by the majority of the people completely.

          It’s time for him to pay for his past and present sins.

      • 7
        0

        I think the President is working according to a hidden agenda.
        If he continues what he is doing now, by the time of the elections, MR and JO will be so unpopular, people will reject them again the same way they did in 2015.
        As I said may times, MR and JO fell into a trap with eyes fully open.

        • 0
          0

          The hidden agenda is the work of B A S I L – he wiped out SLFP and MY3 chance of
          presidency in one stroke. MR will rise up from these ashes is his hope. UNP and
          allies have tested & tasted Democracy on 8 Jany, .2015 and this will expand further,
          as no man in his correct mind will ever Vote for known Thugs, Criminals & undemocratic
          “leaders” at heart any more. No amount of funds from China will make changes here…
          MR is a known coward and his greediness for Power cast him into ado Sirisenas trap.

        • 0
          0

          Champa

          Hopper Sirisena is not that clever to work out a hidden agenda leave alone acting on it.

          He had already stated he would protect all war criminals at any cost even if they are arrested for theft, rape (of his mother, wife, daughter ….) , assault…

          He was trying to Priyankara Fernando at the Sri Lankan mission in London.



          By the way how does Dr Go feed his shark?

      • 5
        0

        Champa
        Well said. I have noted in your previous comments that you did have a Soft spot for the Return of Modamullas and the JOs.
        The above comment of yours have ( I believe) given a ” BOOT” hopefully a final NO to their return from the horses mouth.
        You either be with the baddies and join in self destruction or join the Patriots of this nation and save this mangled nation.
        While the country is burning there’s no place for any Nero’s to play the fiddle , just like the Emperor Nero played the fiddle while Italy was burning to cinders.
        The scenes from the Parliament shown far and widely gives chills to ones bones.
        Disgraceful behaviours just greed for power is evident .
        Shame on these politicians shame on those People who voted for these Barbarians to behave like Hyenas.

      • 0
        0

        Whatever the former President says, the behaviour of his fellow JO MPs portrays that he is power hungry.
        This whole thing could have been done differently, if they really love their motherland.
        Now the motherland is nowhere.
        Country’s image is nowhere.
        The Constitution they vowed to protect and uphold with life has become so meaningless, it is now being used to hit at the Speaker.
        I believe, this is the first time in the world, a wastepaper basket was thrown at a Speaker.
        Sri Lanka’s name is totally ruined by the hooligans elected to the Parliament, from both sides.
        This is really disturbing.
        Heading for premature elections amidst this scenario is unthinkable as there will be pre and post-election violence and bloodbath.
        I wish the Speaker brings the Parliament back to normalcy soon.

      • 0
        1

        Champa

        You mean tyranny given by the constitution?

  • 1
    28

    Except Sri Lanka is not “a Parliamentary democracy” (unlike the UK) though it is indeed a democracy. It has not been so since 1978.

    • 8
      0

      The point is that, like in France, the government is responsible to the Parliament.

      • 0
        0

        I only followed now what Dr. DJ says. Yeah it is not Parliamentary democracy. It should read as democracy in the Parliament.

    • 8
      0

      “Mr. Political Scientist” any more words of advice given to your Lord and Master via email? Have the “right wing reactionary forces” been demoralized? Or have “the reactionary forces” consolidated?

    • 11
      1

      Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka the public ……….

      “Except Sri Lanka is not “a Parliamentary democracy” (unlike the UK) though it is indeed a democracy. It has not been so since 1978.”

      Is it a democracy in practice?
      What makes Sri Lanka a democracy, Speaker with funny colonial hat, a Maze, Hansard, 225 donkeys braying at the same time, unruly mob occupying chamber, …. ?

      Do think it is a people’s democratic dictatorship, Democratic centralism, ………….. Dictatorship of the proletariat, ……………. ?

      What do the 225 do in the parliament? Are they being appointed by President?
      Don’t they represent voters, people, business interest, ………………….?

    • 11
      0

      who would ever thought that anything else would come out of your cesspit
      self proclaimed political analyst Dayan ?

      If you would start sensing it otherway around, the teachings of buddha should be no longer the truths.

    • 7
      0

      Hello bogus Dr Dayan Silva, are you really working or hardly working in Moscow? I know you have a busy schedule to keep up in certain areas of Moscow? Don’t worry Dr Laksirispray may shortly join you before you are recalled.

    • 4
      0

      Going by the political history, even at a time there was no democracy in the country, there still was democracy in the Parliament, at least, wasn’t there?
      Otherwise, the Sri Lankan Parliament has always respected the majority in the Parliament.
      Even a Punchi Singho in a village can see that if MR/JO have the majority, there won’t be any chaos in the Parliament.

    • 5
      0

      Dr. Dayan,
      What a pathetic situation of Srilanka to have an ambassdor who represents not the country, not the people but criminals, murderers and thugs.

    • 1
      0

      You Dr DJ has been close to Rajapaksa clan who are involved in pilfering SL state money; suppress Judiciary; ran a white van service killing the opponents; promoted BBS activity;Suppressed minorities; misused his powers for the 10 years since 2005. Most civilised Sri Lankan’s do not want him anywhere near power.

  • 18
    1

    Well done, Mr. Speaker. Do educate the ignorant about parliamentary conventions and ethics.

  • 11
    2

    Democracy?? what Demo Crazy?? There are 3 official languages , please not only the Sinhala version , we need translation in all 3 languages.
    Please respect the voters official languages too.
    When the minorities and their votes are all important , and their mother tongue too should be respected.
    Tamil and English version too here on the all important letter from the President to the Speaker.
    Thank you

  • 0
    0

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 3
    0

    DEMOK -CRAZY

  • 6
    0

    SL has become a lawless country when the very people who are entrusted with safeguarding the independence of the three pillars of democracy disrespect it and interpret it disregarding the holistic purpose, meaning and content and showcasing to the world, despite 70 years of independence, we are still a Banana Republic. As for MR, he just wants a general election by whatever mean, including violence, disregarding the constitution hoping to ride a popular wave. I’m no fan of RW, but both MS and MR have damaged themselves in the public eye. My admiration to JVP,TNA,UNP, the EC, Speaker and SC.

  • 0
    0

    RAN

    Faizer Mustafa raising his hand towards the speaker

    There are some other throwing the paper trash can on to him

  • 8
    0

    Hon. Speaker:
    You’re playing a historic role in standing up for democracy against its enemies, the two tyrants and their unparliamentary dogs. All Sri Lankans who believe in human dignity and freedom are highly appreciating your wise and courageous actions.

  • 3
    0

    good letter.socked him hard.If the obtuse man does not take karu’s advice he is in trouble.

    • 1
      0

      Shankar, now don’t come back as Malinda and write the opposite. You must be working on your next piece?

      • 0
        0

        craig

        slight correction.It should be “malinda,now don’t come back as your true self and write the opposite”. My jekyll and hyde personality is DNA driven,not on purpose.

  • 4
    0

    All rational minded srilankans should be thankful for this great gentleman who as Kipling said can keep his head when all about him are loosing theirs and blaming it on him. Please circulate this CD so all citizens can get a closer look on this parliament members whom they voted to represent them in parliament.

  • 8
    1

    Unfortunately most members are uneducated and not learned in the parliament in Sri Lanka.
    It is very sad to see that more than 98% members are uncultured and undisciplined.

    I am proud of all members of TNA. Their behaviour is very impressive and they never used filthy and despicable language in that August House.

    It is sad to say that old Dinesh Gunawardane, though he was sent to Royal College he acts like Prasanna Ranaweera and Buruwansa.
    Both Buruwansa and Ranaweera are from slums and no any academic accomplishments in the domain of literacy and numeracy.
    Most of them have disclosed wild and uneducated nature to this world.
    As Sinhalese we must be ashamed to pronounce that they are our legislatures.

    • 1
      0

      More than 80% of our MPs do NOT have even the O Level, it has been said.
      How then do their voters expect them to behave like gentlemen?
      There needs to be an “educational qualification” to contest to become an MP.
      Else, how can they read and understand the constitution.

  • 0
    3

    It’s curious that the speaker does not know whom the Prime Minster is, when according to his Party Leader, whom he follows, it is Ranil Wickrasinghe who is Prime Minister. Is he disagreeing with RW? Is he refusing to accept RW as PM? Is this insubordination?

    Of course if he knows, and is refusing to acknowledge it is a serious lapse on his part, even failing in his duty as Speaker. It is his duty to know, and his duty to act on his knowledge.

    The Constitutional thing for the President to do, then, is to inform the Speaker who the PM is, and then, when he knows, he will be bound to acknowledge it. If he needs another letter, I am sure President Maithri has plenty of stationary saved up for the occasion.

    According to his own words, according to CT, Speaker Karu Jayauriya knos of one Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse:

    “Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, yesterday, sent a letter, along with related documents, to President Sirisena, with regard to the motion of no-confidence passed during the parliament session last morning, against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the newly appointed Cabinet of Ministers.”

    Oh so it is Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is it? How the memory fails. Next thing he will forger we are a soverin country.

  • 5
    0

    If not for CT we would all be like frogs in. The well to. Be honest.

    Only Ade derana is a bit fair, should say they are about 20 to 30% less biased, but all other TV channels are 100% biased. I can not believe the way MTV has changed on errors night.

    As for news papers, only daily Mirror, Island and The Ceylon Today is also somewhat okay.

    So people have to bear the suffering for the personal agendas of two to Three individuals the people have voted in.

    What a mess.

  • 1
    1

    Speaker should stick to the protocol and earn the respect of the house. Karu needs to tone down a bit for the sake of the country.

    RW elevated MS and, therefore, RW is partly responsible for the mess we are in.

  • 6
    0

    Sirisena, MR, and the other power hungry idiots, do not realize that the entire world is watching these antics, and we are looking like jokers all over the world. MR should realize by now that he will always be looked upon like an illegitimate PM, who went against the constitution to seize power. It is time these clowns stopped this ridiculous show. It is not funny anymore, but embarrassing. How can other nations want to invest, or want to do business with us, when we have jokers in the government, behaving like goons.

    Good for the speaker for standing up for the people.

  • 8
    2

    In English and Sinhalese only ! Where is the Tamil version. English is not an official language Tamil is. So Where Is The TAMIL Version? The first language and mother tongue of 25% of the population. These racist Sinhalese, ironically. largely descended from immigrant Indian Tamil low castes, want Tamil help, to get them out of trouble and save them but once they get what they want revert back to their Fascist Sinhalese racist tendencies. If they can publish an English version why is there not a Tamil version the official language? I want an answer to this and again what is the TNA doing other than getting taken for a ride by all these Sinhalese racists and stating to Tamil masses , everything is fine and full Tamil rights have been promised by various crafty lying racist Sinhalese politicians . We have been hearing this from the time of independence , promises that are given agreements signed only to be broken

  • 6
    1

    Only English and Sinhalese ? What happened to Tamil? I thought Tamil was the other official language on par with Sinhalese and not English . Where is the Tamil version ? Don’t tell me they could not find Tamil typewriters ( nobody uses them now) or fonts or no one proficient in Tamil , only in English and Sinhalese. If this is a joke we Tamil people do not find this funny. Is Tamil an official language only on paper? Sinhalese are still a bunch of racists and will never learn anything. Even after everything that has happened they are racist to the core. Tamil people learn from this , there will be no just Tamil rights or reconciliation , we need our independence back. Everything is in Sinhalese with no Tamil versions. This means the Tamil people are left out of everything , other than their votes, only the Sinhalese matter and are important.

    • 0
      1

      It is generally accepted that the correspondence of that level are understadable to tamils if they would have been posted in English.

      • 3
        1

        Do not accept anything , then we can accept Sinhalese can also understand English and all correspondence should only be in English. Not Sinhalese or Tamil , DO not give lame excuses for the racist behaviour of the Sinhalese politicians and establishment. Why is it presumed that posting in English and not in Tamil is acceptable for Tamils? Who told you that? The lion from the Mahavamsa folk tale? Tamil is an official language in par with Sinhalese and all correspondence if it is in Sinhalese should also be in Tamil . Understood? Not lame excuses that correspondence in English is enough for the Tamils. Then why is Tamil an official language? Just on paper to look good for the international community , to state we have provided Tamils equal rights but not so in reality . Go to any government department or to a police station in even in the North and East and try conducting business in Tamil. All public servants/police and armed forces , should have a compulsory knowledge of both Sinhalese and Tamil, otherwise they should not be made permanent and not receive any increments. Understood.

      • 1
        0

        Samson Gunawardhana
        Are you implying that sinhalese people cannot understand English at that level. I wonder who is writing you post to CT

      • 0
        0

        Samson Gunawardhana
        Are you implying that sinhalese people cannot understand English at that level. I wonder who is writing you post to CT. If they can understand English then why not stick to one language that can be understood by all , namely, English???

  • 3
    0

    Speaker Responds To Sirisena’s Belligerent Letter

    The president will keep on rejecting since he said if Ranil is the prime minister he will resign Now the beliefs is the attempt to achieve power and prestige without quality. the present mode is that his Leadership is not to honor to better the lives of others. It is an opportunity to satisfy personal greed and let know i am the best in the wining competence in constitutional knowledge

  • 3
    0

    Bravo

    Now the world understand the behaviour of modayas with animal DNA ( according to Mahavamsa comic book great-great-great garndfather of Modayas was a Lion.

    Cheers

  • 1
    8

    This speaker is the worst speaker in Sri Lanka’s history.
    /
    This is all drama. The script has been written by the usual culprits – Rajita, Managala and his boss CBK, Ranil, My3, Karu, TNA, JVP, India, the West, etc.
    According to the script, My3 must resign as the president and appoint Ranil as the pesident.

    • 3
      1

      You stupid moron. You must be another thug from sri lanka.

  • 2
    0

    Thank You ,! Thank you Siva Sankaran Sharma and Rohan.
    If you don’t ask you will not get.
    Always make sound to be heard.
    But certainly not like the so called Lunatics who behaved appallingly in the Parliament.

  • 1
    0

    Champa: I understand your frustrations; but please be aware that this situation must not be allowed to go out of hand, as that would definitely lead to the “Death” of Democracy. But from what is going on, the “Leaders” viz. President, PM (both real and unreal), The Ministers (both real & unreal) and MPs have forgotten who they are and what they must stand for. More than anything else, all these “Leaders” must know to be “CIVILIZED” (Sadachara Sampanna) and that is what is important at this moment of critical times. Just look at the situation in Parliament during the last two days. If you can please watch the TV programme – “Aluth Parlimenthwa” where five Eminent persons participated to discuss this situation. Excepting, ONE person ( I do not want to mention name) all others, completely IGNORED the fact of being “CIVILIZED” in dealing with chaotic situations. I hope the people too will be given this message – the requirement to be CIVILIZED (Sadachara Sampanna) and make their decisions in the coming days, months and years accordingly.

  • 0
    0

    MR.Speaker!
    I cannot understand as to why you should have allowed a No Confidence motion on a Non ExistentPrime Minster Mahinda?. You should have asked him to vacate the seat when he occupied the Prime Ministers seat. If he did not comply, you should have asked the Sergeant at Arms to remove him without bodily harm. You have been too much of a gentlemen.

  • 1
    1

    Rajavassas doesn’t have a majority. Any gas gemba will undestand, Supreme Court gave it’s ruling on Nov 14th saying that dissolution of parliament is illegal by the DUMB president. Now the problems is the EGO! Rajavassas and Sirisenas cant accept the defeat. Hell to the economy their ego is more important than peace in Sri Lanka. Although I am not fan of Sajith, what he said is correct. They created an INDEPENDANT JUDICIARY which we all should admire.

  • 1
    1

    The hidden agenda is the work of B A S I L – he wiped out SLFP and MY3 chance of
    presidency in one stroke. MR will rise up from these ashes is his hope. UNP and
    allies have tested & tasted Democracy on 8 Jany, .2015 and this will expand further,
    as no man in his correct mind will ever Vote for known Thugs, Criminals & undemocratic
    “leaders” at heart any more. No amount of funds from China will make changes here…
    MR is a known coward and his greediness for Power cast him into ado Sirisenas trap.

  • 1
    0

    We cannot put the blame on Sillisena. His power greed lead to his down fall . The cunning Raja pukka clan and the JO were equally guilty in this plot.
    It was explained clearly by Appeh Silli Namal PUTHA.
    He said the plot was in the making for the last few months , I would say for last few years , until it reached the fever pitch of killing of Sillisena and Kabara Gotabaya by Dumb Ranil.
    At the end they were only able to manage a ” still birth”.

    Come on story tellers!!! Here’s the best seller , If CHATHURIKA SILLISENA can write another Thriller on
    ” Mageh Janadipathy Thatha and his murder mystery Plot ” it will be the best thriller of the century , she can get more kudos!!!
    Aneh pow.

  • 0
    0

    After reading my comment above, one asked me what is expected of “CIVILIZED” (in Sinhala Sadachara Sampanna) got to do with the Politicians and Leaders. Very simple. It is just to “THINK” of what is “RIGHT & WRONG” and “DECENCY” to do and act in any situation. For instance, President should have asked his conscience, “Is it correct for me to appoint MR as the PM”. Then on the other hand MR should have addressed his conscience and asked: “Is it correct for me to accept the invitation by the President?”. Just leaving aside the Constitution and Legal provisions, both parties should have had the “DECENCY” and be “CIVILIZED” in handling these confrontational situations , thinking and addressing the problems that would be created as a result of decisions they made. If President (as said by him) find it difficult to work with Ranil W, as PM, get together with him and other “Counsels” and discuss the issues rather than acting in a very “Irresponsible” and “High-handed ” manner as was done on 26th October. That is what EXPECTED and the thing to do in “CIVILIZED” and “DECENT” manner. Simply to think “What” is RIGHT & WRONG.

  • 0
    1

    Ranil wicks of that UNP cannot go to polls ,because majority people are against UNP leadership?
    Indeed UNP prepared for New Counter-coup or counter -Revolution….undermined Partlimintery democracy.
    The new alliance of UNP that gang -up with TNA, JVP and MC are an organizing new counter -coup against sovereignty of Parliament.
    This a first step of that UNP moving for one man rule-party .

  • 0
    2

    Mr Speaker, we know that you know hat the ‘belligerency’ in the MS letter was from the person goading him.

    We also know that you know that we have had a coup d’état. Please address it as such NOW. Or we may not be able to.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.