Executive has no right to find fault with legislature: Opposition

Recent letter written by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to the speaker alleging that Parliament is sluggish in its proceedings, came under fire in the House today with some MPs highlighting that the Executive has no right to find fault with the legislature.

The issue was raised by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella initially, while MP Buddhika Pathirana rated the President's letter as a threat to the legislature.

“The President does not have the right to find fault with the legislature. You are correct in saying the delay in Parliament has been caused by the failure of the government to produce documents. We have been asking for a copy of the agreement which the government had finalized with the IMF. It is yet to be given,” Kiriella said.

“I see this letters written by the President to the Speaker as a threat. There should be checks and balances among the arms of the government as per the constitution. Therefore the Executive cannot go for a conflict with the legislature. The President's letter is disturbing,” he said. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)