Govt. is likely to boycott Parliament today as well

29 November 2018 04:51 am - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government is likely to boycott Parliament today as well to not to face the challenge posed by the motion handed over to the Secretary-General of Parliament by six UNF Parliamentarians on November 19, challenging the constitutionality of the purported Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa to utilise public finance.

The final decision whether to participate or not in the debate would be decided by the Parliamentary Group of the purported Government this morning, he added.

The motion against the purported Government is to be taken up for debate and vote today.

Cabinet Spokesman, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told the weekly cabinet news briefing yesterday that the Government believed that the motion was sub-juice as it challenged a Constitutional issue that had been referred to the Supreme Court and also confronted the powers of the Executive President.

“We have repeatedly told the Opposition that to bring a No Faith Motion (NFM) adhering to Standing Orders and Parliamentary procedure. We have also told them not to challenge the authority of the President.

“What they have simply to say in the NFM is that the opposition does not have faith in the Prime Minister or the Government or both. They have not done that and this motion violates Standing Order and challenges the two Gazette notifications issued by President Sirisena and therefore, I don’t think we would participate in the debate tomorrow,” Minister Samarasinghe said.

He flatly rejected the suggestion by journalists that the purported Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa did not face the challenge or continuously boycott Parliament because the Government had the support of only 102 members, while the Opposition has the support of 122 members and added that the UNF as a political party had only the support of 101 members.

Minister Samarasinghe also refused to accept that the UNF commanded the support of the TNA and the JVP and added when the Vote on Account which was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday is taken up for debate and approval, the Government was ready to show majority support (113) in Parliament.

Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would decide the day for the debate and vote on the Vote on Account before the end of the year and requested journalists to wait and see.

Responding to the Daily Mirror, Minister Samarasinghe said a Presidential election was not necessary to gauge the public opinion in the electorate as demanded by the Opposition as the tenure of office of President Sirisena was to expire in January 2020. But a General Election could be held for the same purpose though the next General Election was scheduled to be held in August 2020.

Both Cabinet Spokesmen, Ministers Samarasinghe and Dayasiri Jayasekera refused to admit that the UNF led Opposition alliance had the confidence of the majority of members in Parliament with 122 votes out of 225 House and said the purported Government with 102 was ready to show the majority when the time came. But did not say when the time would come for the Government to show 113. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Pix by Nisal Baduge

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Comments - 23

Lion Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:03 AM

Good move second thing stop calling your self as government

johan Thursday, 29 November 2018 09:03 AM

This is only President's Kitchen Cabinet, no majorityand their frustration causing nuisance in Parliament.Better they justkeep away under the guise of boycotting.

Unchikun Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:06 AM

Struggling with simple arithmetic. This shows that Sri Lanka has a high literacy rate and a low IQ rate.

Gune Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:12 AM

I think that is right on the part of this illegal Gov. They have no place in Parliament. So let them be in their air conditioned offices

ANTON Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:16 AM

A NEW RULE SHOULD BE INCORPORATED TO THE CONSTITUTION, THOSE WHO ARE REPEATEDLY ABSENT FOR THE PARLIAMENT SESSIONS WILL BE SACKED.

ConcernedCitizen Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:16 AM

Why dont you'll boycott the salaries paid to be representatives of the people? Taking country hostage for petty power play.

nsathees Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:18 AM

Every thing is upside down in Sri Lanka. Usually, the opposition boycotts the parliament.

surasena Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:22 AM

Their gloomy faces tell the story: we are LOST.We understand the opposition boycotting a Parliament, yet the GOVERNMENT boycotting is a new addition to the Democracy (DO-MORE- CRAZY).

Cicero Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:25 AM

"Any man who must say I am the king is no true king." The very fact that you jokers call yourself the government and can't attend functioning government sessions shows that you are not really any authority we should bother about.

Dr.Raghav Sharma Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:45 AM

What do you mean by the "Govt". It is a minority unit ...can not claim as government through back door entry.Shame!

Dhammika Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:49 AM

S C A R E D !

Waco Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:51 AM

To resolve this present unsettled situation, the only solution is to have the General election ASAP.

Dee Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:54 AM

Boycott is a method used by spineless people who can't face a situation. It is a shame to even refer to such groups as a 'government' .

Saman Thursday, 29 November 2018 08:55 AM

Honorable speaker should mark the attendance and make it 80% for the salary entitlement. Lol.

voted Thursday, 29 November 2018 09:44 AM

why not apply sick leave instead?

Wise Donkey Thursday, 29 November 2018 09:47 AM

What a disgraceful lot! This is the first time a so called 'government' boycotting the parliament in the world. This is not actually 'boycotting' but cowards running away from defeat having no majority in the house! Shame on these disgusting lot!

waduge Thursday, 29 November 2018 09:51 AM

sri lankens literacy is very high , but very low intelligent peoples,but well corrupted and rival society .

Rizwan Thursday, 29 November 2018 09:56 AM

we will boycott parliament but we won't miss our meals in the parliament.

waduge Thursday, 29 November 2018 09:59 AM

IQ and literacy very low in sri lanken society, because of that MR and MS playing dirty politics .

likely to boycott - why not say "definitly" Thursday, 29 November 2018 11:02 AM

"likely to boycott" ! ! well. well, well, - it isi well known fact that these cowards cannot face another vote.

Jude Thursday, 29 November 2018 01:13 PM

So you guys think boycotting PARLIAMENT will get you the Majority!!?? Huh!!

Pat Thursday, 29 November 2018 04:02 PM

Aney Uncle please don't boycott. Keep the games alive. We love it. Hope you have some new games for the season for the following matches.

Sally Thursday, 29 November 2018 04:04 PM

How about an out door tournament?

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Govt. is likely to boycott Parliament today as well

Comments - 23

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