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If Vote on Account defeated - Prez can dissolve Parliament: Wijeyadasa

30 October 2018 11:35 pm - 29     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Newly-sworn in Education and Higher Education Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today President Maithripala Sirisena had ‘inherent powers' to dissolve Parliament in case the Vote on Account to be presented by the new government was defeated.

He told a hurriedly summoned news conference that the foremost task of the new government was the presentation of a Vote on Account to appropriate finances for the operation of government for an interim period.

The minister, who was one of the four UNP MPs to join the new government of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, said the President had such powers to dissolve Parliament without waiting for four and half years under conventional practices enshrined in the Westminster System.

“If the Vote on Account is not approved by Parliament, there will arise a situation where the government is unable to function. The President can opt to dissolve Parliament to resuscitate the country from an anarchic situation. That is not a written law but a conventional practice,” he said and added that in the alternative the President could dissolve Parliament only after four and half years of being formed.

“105 UNP MPs were elected at the 2015 elections. If there is a snap general election it will be reduced to 40 or 50,” he said.

Kandy district MP Ananda Aluthgamage who joined the government from the UNP told the news conference that enough and more MPs would join the new government and added that as a new comer to the UNP he was disillusioned with the party within a couple of months.

He was sworn in as the State Minister of Tourism and Wildlife. (Kelum Bandara)


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  Comments - 29

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  • JeffK Tuesday, 30 October 2018 11:45 PM

    The ones who created the 19A should be tried in a court of law for treason. The most fundamental thing in a Constitution is the stability of the state.

    Lara Wednesday, 31 October 2018 10:31 AM

    Agree. Note that there are 17 people who doesn't agree that 19A created a mess in the country. Such is the IQ level of our socalled educated middle class.

    Ravi M Tuesday, 30 October 2018 11:52 PM

    You have a legal background and therefore should able to demonstrate that per constitution and as well as any moral ground to prove the PM has a majority in parliament before letting that team to govern first or even prepare an interim budget. How can we trust people like you in future!!

    Dhammika Wednesday, 31 October 2018 09:42 AM

    He has a DEAL background.

    Sally Wednesday, 31 October 2018 10:45 AM

    Ravi dont ask him. One Shot will give you the real answer.

    Kasun Tuesday, 30 October 2018 11:55 PM

    UNP got 65 seats in harsh conditions if they have elections now they will get 120 seats :D you guys will be sent to space next time by voters wait and see :D

    Jiff Wednesday, 31 October 2018 10:32 AM

    Ha ha to increase petrol each month and pay compensation to the terrorists? It's beyond me this UNP loyalty.

    Kassipp Wednesday, 31 October 2018 01:51 PM

    Kasun, Are you drunk or day dreaming? UNP would never go beyond 50 seats after the Jahapalanaya crap. Keep dreaming bro. lol

    sandy Tuesday, 30 October 2018 11:59 PM

    I will bet these guys will move again if this ship is sinking... poor voters.

    Stunned Citizen Wednesday, 31 October 2018 12:05 AM

    Then the old codger should have done that instead trying back door tactics. Anyway whose gonna believe a turn coat like you.

    666 Wednesday, 31 October 2018 12:14 AM

    If the new Government is illegal due to the reason that they do not have the majority in the parliament, then how can they present a Vote of Account? Putting the Cart before the Bull. Or it would be like another Mohan Pieris Saga. Why can not they prove their majority in the parliament first??

    Unchikun Wednesday, 31 October 2018 12:39 AM

    This man is one of the few in Sri Lanka who has no ethics. He was kickoff from the cabinet as the UNP backbenchers revolted. Then RW once again gave in a minister post. Then he crosses over. Now in panic mode after seeing the crowd yesterday which was organized at short notice. Another candidate qualifying to the bin.

    Unchikun Wednesday, 31 October 2018 12:46 AM

    People who talk a lot about Buddhism are the biggest hypocrites. This is once of the worse.

    Hodha Hitha Wednesday, 31 October 2018 12:53 AM

    Entire nation knows what Dealdasa's interpretation. If the socalled government loose the vote in parliament they want to dissolve the parliament and have an election. Then socalled government could abuse the power likewise in 2005 and 2010. Good luck with your shameful, disgrace and cunning idea. Remember "You could fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you could not fool all the people all the time" - Abraham Lincoln

    Daham Wednesday, 31 October 2018 12:55 AM

    If Wijedasa Rajapaksa has any doubt about winning the Vote on Account to be presented why the hell the president formed this unstable government to bring the country to this pathetic anarchic situation.

    Lankaboy Wednesday, 31 October 2018 01:24 AM

    This is latest tricks by Mr n Co to scare the MPs and get them joined with them.. Lets hope no one is naive to fall in this trap

    dave Wednesday, 31 October 2018 01:55 AM

    if parliament is dissolved make sure to dissolve everyone with it.(those 225 idiots)

    Madu Wednesday, 31 October 2018 02:17 AM

    Shame on you Wijeyadasa...you don't have a back bone

    Palli Kanda Wednesday, 31 October 2018 02:25 AM

    The 40 to 50 will include you. Opportunist, bribed and shameless humans like you and the rowdy Anada should never be tolerated in the future UNP.

    Gamini Wednesday, 31 October 2018 03:25 AM

    people are waiting until the parliament is dissolved because they can then send traitors like you home. This is the ultimate aim of people.

    RP Wednesday, 31 October 2018 09:13 AM

    Record holding Pole Vaulter expressing his views

    Dee Wednesday, 31 October 2018 09:14 AM

    And YOU too!

    Dr.Siri Wednesday, 31 October 2018 09:38 AM

    All the legal cases pending against them can be hushed up. What a country

    Priya Wednesday, 31 October 2018 10:08 AM

    Are you creating law or interpreting law? . What a shame to Legal profession from such a funny lawyers.

    Dhammika Wednesday, 31 October 2018 10:20 AM

    Contest any election DEALdasa and you will see to your self your own OPINION among the people .

    Jaya Wednesday, 31 October 2018 10:27 AM

    I don't think you can do anything for people of this country. Even you don't know the importance of democracy

    Uugh Wednesday, 31 October 2018 10:35 AM

    This can very well be a plan of Ranil. Remember UNPers are illogically loyal when it comes to the party that their entire family voted. They will conveniently forget how this government ruled the country in the last few years and vote for UNP just out of revenge.

    Ashok Wednesday, 31 October 2018 01:02 PM

    So Desperated To Be In Power...

    Buddhist Wednesday, 31 October 2018 05:11 PM

    Seeing the way he is jumping from side to side, I wonder how long his tail is?


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