It could be resolved at next Party leaders' meeting, though he was not consulted: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday told Parliament that the issue over the appointment of Prasad Kariyawasam as Advisor to the Speaker, could still be resolved at the next meeting of Party leaders.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out

that he was not consulted over the appointment of former Foreign Ministry Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam as an adviser to Parliament.

He made the statement when some Opposition MPs raised concerns over reports that Mr Kariyawasam was being paid by a foreign organisation, though he worked in Parliament.

Mr Wickremesinghe told Parliament such appointments had nothing to do with him, as it was a matter for Party leaders. “Party leaders could have objected to it at the time. They can still meet the Speaker next week and discuss the matter,” he said.

The Premier queried as to why Mr Kariyawasam was appointed Ambassador to the US by the former Government, if he was “an American agent”, as some Opposition MPs are now claiming.

He said the Government was prepared for a debate on the matter if necessary.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, meanwhile, said they were not objecting to Mr Kariyawasam being appointed as an adviser to Parliament, but over him being paid by a foreign organisation, while being employed there. “This raises questions over Parliament’s sovereignty.”

Earlier, Leader of the House, Lakshman Kiriella stated that Mr Kariyawasam’s role in Parliament was limited to supervising a number of programmes related to democratic reforms that were initiated from 2015.

Making a special statement in Parliament, Mr Kiriella stated that the country’s Parliament established links with many international development agencies, following the broad democratic reforms that were enacted from 2015.

Currently, the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP), USAID ( through DAI Institute), Westminster Foundation, International Republican Institute, Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the National Democratic Institute are supporting the Sri Lankan Parliament.

“All development programmes are coordinated by the UNDP. The individual agencies obtain the services of local and foreign advisers to supervise these programmes,” Mr Kiriella further stated.

He added that, in addition, Parliament introduced a programme called “Parliamentary Diplomacy”, which has helped foster close relations with other Parliaments worldwide, while also facilitating exchange programmes for MPs and Parliament staff.

"The DAI Institute works towards strengthening democratic reforms and has also provided much support for the independent commissions," the Minister noted, pointing out that Party leaders were notified about the programme in 2017 and that, a committee comprising all parties represented in Parliament, was also in place to monitor these programmes.

The DAI currently obtains the services of two advisers to assist Parliament. They are former Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration G. Hettiarachchi and former Foreign Ministry Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam.

“Mr Kariyawasam’s role is to supervise the democratic reform process and to strengthen sectoral oversight committees, which is a new concept to Sri Lanka. He also provides assistance required for the Parliamentary Diplomacy project. This appointment is currently valid till August,” Mr Kiriella noted.

He further said that the DAI had initially selected another former foreign ministry secretary and veteran ambassador Karunathilaka Amunugama for the role of adviser, but he had passed away a day before commencing duties. Mr Kariyawasam was appointed as his replacement.