I’ll be stepping down as Speaker with a clear conscience: Karu

I have never purchased an official vehicle using public funds and wore a wig used by past Speakers during my 5-year tenure as Parliament Speaker, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said.

He said he was leaving Parliament, likely to be dissolved in early March, with a contended mind as he had not misappropriated a single rupee of public money nor misused his powers as Speaker.

“I am at peace because I leave with clean hands and a pure mind. As a politician, I have done nothing to be ashamed of or hide from the country or from my voters,” the Speaker said.

He said this at the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, Kandy after he paid homage to the Malwatu Chapter Mahanayaka the most venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera.

The Speaker said he acted independently throughout his term of office and did not step into ‘Sirikotha’ even once and had not taken sides in national or parliamentary affairs.

“I tried my best to explain to the leader and deputy leader of the UNP the importance of protecting and strengthening the grand old party through reconciliation, compromise and consensus. I represented a new political culture from the time I engaged in active politics. I did not use posters, cutouts, floats or banners for my propaganda campaigns nor did I resort to character assassinations or mud-slinging at my political opponents. I believe that each and every lawmaker elected to Parliament must act in a manner deserving of the title, ‘Honourable'," he said.

The Speaker expressed his gratitude to the Mahasangha for their advice and the respect accorded to him. (Sandun A Jayasekera)