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​TNA stakes claim for opp. leader’s post

10 April 2015 11:18 am - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In the wake of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa requesting the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to nominate an MP for the post of opposition leader, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with 14 seats in Parliament has written to the Speaker staking its claim for the post.

The letter signed by TNA General Secretary K. Thurairajasingham and Parliamentary Group Leader R Sampanthan states, “After the conclusion of the presidential election in January 2015 the UNP Leader has become the Prime Minister and several UNP MPs have been sworn in as Cabinet Ministers constituting the government. The SLFP Leader is the President and a member of the Cabinet (in fact the head of the Cabinet) and several UPFA MPs (in excess of 26) are ministers, some of them in the Cabinet. 

“Therefore the Government is composed of both the UPFA and the UNP, disentitling both of those parties from occupying the seat of the opposition leader. No member of parliament elected from the UPFA or UNP can be the leader of the oposition. This clearly is the legal position as well as one that accords with parliamentary tradition, both of our country and the Commonwealth.   

“The resultant position is that it is the ITAK that is entitled to the post of the opposition leader having 14 members in parliament. The DNA has seven members, one of whom is also a Cabinet Minister now,” the letter added.(By Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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  Comments - 16

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  • saman Friday, 10 April 2015 05:04 PM

    TNA?

    mawella Friday, 10 April 2015 05:06 PM

    No question, TNA is entitle for the post.

    hiran Gunawardena Friday, 10 April 2015 05:19 PM

    ha ha ha this is getting hilarious. Make all of them opposition leaders. So all will be happy. GAWAPALANAYA is the biggest joke of the history via DM Android App

    ranga Friday, 10 April 2015 05:31 PM

    I propose the most successful and the veteran PM of all tines Mr.RW (though he is the PM) to be nominated as the OL of the Parlinent...any one wishes to second???

    HOK Friday, 10 April 2015 05:34 PM

    Yes,kind of dificult for a racist to make away for reconciliation... get a life!!

    Jeeho Friday, 10 April 2015 05:42 PM

    Unlike the two main parties minority parties take strategic decisions. They killed two birds with one stone when they supported to oust the former president.

    dAILY EDITOR MODA Friday, 10 April 2015 06:14 PM

    If TNA deserving then it should be to them.Not be communal and give to the not elected kara...

    luckyweeramantry Saturday, 11 April 2015 08:24 AM

    Definitely TNA Deserves The Post. They Are A Truly Democratic Party Now.

    Horri Jimonis Saturday, 11 April 2015 10:04 AM

    No... never allow him to sit in the Opp.leaders seat.

    Bubble Banda Saturday, 11 April 2015 10:05 AM

    He should retire by now, not to be greedy for further positions.

    Horri Jimonis Saturday, 11 April 2015 10:07 AM

    If he be the Opposition Leader, then it is equivalent that Eelam is declared.

    Desmond Jeromme Saturday, 11 April 2015 10:08 AM

    Mervyn Silva is better than him.

    Robinhood Rumio Saturday, 11 April 2015 12:53 PM

    The solution to this can be got from history of what happened in Indian parliament. During the time of VP singh the BJP supported the government, Then the leader of opposition was Rajive Ghandi of Congress. The BJP headed by Lal Krishna Advani decided to withdraw support and toppled the VP singh govt. Then congress supported Chandrasekaran, and made him prime minister. Chandrasekeran had only a dozen MPs in his party. This caused a confusion where the Leader of Opposition supported a minority party to become a govt. The Rajive Ghandi gracefully handed over the Leader of Opposition post to Advani, who crossed to opposition to govt. and Rajive became just a ordinary member. I dont know who is advising our speaker Chamal.

    hiran Gunawardena Saturday, 11 April 2015 04:32 PM

    I propose Prabaharan for the post. Can someone second please via DM Android App

    Kiris Baba Amaray Sunday, 12 April 2015 06:36 AM

    Yes this old man is a Pro-LTTE bullet. never allow....

    Ashok Sunday, 12 April 2015 11:14 AM

    Yes! I support their Claim.


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