Knocked out! Questions raised on validity of resolution to remove Deshabandu

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Questions have been raised on the resolution which was approved by Parliament yesterday to remove Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.   

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa who raised a question in the House alleged that the Speaker and the government have violated Standing Orders in moving the resolution.   

He told Parliament that in terms of Standing Order 91 F, there is a special procedure to debate a matter in subjudice and urged the Speaker to make a statement that the outcome of the debate is not prejudicial or will not cause substantial damage to the case. “The Speaker should have made a statement before the debate and informed the House that he was satisfied that the resolution will not affect the court cases which is pending on Tennakoon. Why did the Speaker fail to do this as per the standing orders? He questioned. He said nine cases are pending over the matter involving Deshabandu Tennakoon and pointed out that the Speaker must be satisfied that the outcome of the debate will not prejudice or cause substantial damage and make a statement regarding that before moving the debate. The MP said he was not standing for any individual but the correct procedure must be followed in Parliamentary business.   

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne said he decided to move the debate after studying Standing Order 91 F. >>A2

  

MP Dayasiri Jayasekera questioned as to why Preethi Padman Surasena was put in charge of the committee appointed by the Speaker to probe allegations against Tennakoon when he himself is in the panel of judges in few cases against Tennakoon which are pending.  

“ Surasena handed over the report on the probe against Deshsabandu from one hand and then accepted the post of Chief Justice from the President,” he said.   

Minister Ananda Wijepala said Tennakoon faces many charges including his failure tom prevent the shootout in 2011 where Presidential Advisor Baratha Lakshman Premachandra and injured former MP Duminda Silva and also his failure to prevent the suicide attack on Katuwapitiya church.   

The resolution was approved by the House with 177 members voting for it while none voting against it. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and few other members of SJB voted in favor while others in the party were absent. SLPP members and MP Ravi Karunanayake were also absent during the time of voting.