SPEAKER’S STATEMENT HAS NO LEGAL MERIT

Foreign Affairs Minister Sarath Amunugama said yesterday the position taken by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was politically-motivated and did not have legal merit because President Sirisena had acted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

UNP Spokesman Harin Fernando told a media briefing that the Speaker had made it clear through his statement that the appointment of Mr. Rajapaksa was unlawful.

“We are confident that those who crossed over to the other side would return to us as they would realize that they have accepted ministerial portfolios in an illegal government,” he said.

MP Ajith P Perera said the Speaker had actually accepted that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is the Prime Minister of this country till a new Member of Parliament manages to muster the support of a majority of parliamentarians.

“As such the appointment of Mr. Rajapaksa and that of ministers and the others are null and void,” he said.

We are confident that those who crossed over will return

Mr. Perera said the Speaker should convene Parliament at least on November 7 because he could do it based on the interpretation given by former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera in 2003 that the Prorogation of the House is done by the President not through his executive powers but as a matter of administration of the House. He said the Speaker could convene the House as he holds the administrative powers of Parliament.