SPEAKER ASSIGNS PM OFFICE IN PARLIAMENT TO MR
Following a lengthy discussion the President made a positive response and said the final decision would be informed to the Speaker
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday agreed to assign the Prime Minister’s Office at the Parliamentary Complex to new Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, a party leader said yesterday.
Also, the Speaker had agreed to make seating arrangements in the Chamber in accordance with the change of the Government
Also, the Speaker had agreed to make seating arrangements in the Chamber in accordance with the change of the Government.
Following a lengthy discussion with the President to call the Parliament expeditiously, the President made a positive response and said the final decision would be informed to the Speaker soon.
The decision was taken following a meeting with the President and the Speaker at the President’s Secretariat Wednesday (31) evening.
A Parliamentary delegation of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) called on the Speaker yesterday to discuss arrangements for the new Government to carry out its Parliamentary business.
UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardane, who was in the delegation told the Daily Mirror that the Speaker had already taken steps to assign Mr Rajapaksa, the Prime Minister’s office room at the Parliamentary Complex.
The UPFA delegation briefed the Speaker that the prorogation of Parliament was a power, fully vested with the President.
“The Speaker has no power to act independently,” he said.
The Speaker said that he only conveyed the request made by 126 MPS to convene Parliament forthwith to the President.
Besides, there would be another informal meeting between the Speaker and the UPFA today to work out arrangements for the ceremonial opening of Parliament by the President after the prorogation, he said.
Meanwhile, Speaking to the Daily Mirror UPFA MP Thilanga Sumathipala said the Prime Minister was not appointed by Parliament but by President Maithripala Sirisena.
“Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has to leave Temple Trees and should hand it over to the newly appointed Prime Minister. Once Mr Wickremesinghe is removed from the office, he cannot enjoy the Prime Minister’s privileges,” MP Sumathipala said.