Gammanpila: No justice, no Cabinet post, no talk

Parliament held an adjournment debate on Thursday on the “Power and Energy Crisis Prevailing in the Country.” Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila, who was removed from his Cabinet portfolio as Energy Minister last week, revealed on Friday that he was supposed to make the reply speech on behalf of the Government during the debate but he had been denied the opportunity.

Mr. Gammanpila said he made a written request to the Chief Government Whip's office on Monday seeking a time slot to speak. On Tuesday however, the office had informed him that he could not be permitted to speak, the sacked minister claimed on Twitter.

He had then spoken personally to Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando. He had replied with a "Let’s see." Later though, his office had informed Mr. Gammanpila that he could not be permitted to speak as the list of speakers was full. This is despite Mr. Gammanpila being Energy Minister until March 3. The Parliamentarian said he had complained to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena seeking justice.

“I have been elected to Parliament on the SLPP ticket by people casting 136,331 votes. Denying my right to speak in Parliament by the SLPP means denying my voters to express their hearts and minds. I respectfully expect the Speaker to protect my right to speak in Parliament,” he said. The Speaker did not speak.