By The Pulseline News Desk
The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has proposed referring the no-confidence motion against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne to the Attorney General (AG) for consideration and recommendations, it is learnt.
The move comes despite Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake previously telling Parliament that the Government was prepared to debate the motion as soon as it was formally submitted and included in the Order Paper.
The proposed referral to the AG could introduce a further step before the motion is taken up for debate, although the Government’s position on the timing of the debate remains unclear.
The Opposition has been seeking parliamentary action on the motion, which contains 49 allegations against the Speaker.
Motion contains 49 allegations
Opposition MPs signed the no-confidence motion at the Office of the Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa, on 8 October, following preparations involving Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs and lawyers.
The motion reportedly raises concerns over alleged violations of constitutional provisions, laws, parliamentary Standing Orders and established parliamentary practices.
Other allegations concern the handling of official residences, the alleged misuse of State resources, the involvement of an employee in matters relating to missing items from an official residence inventory, and the Speaker’s conduct in Parliament.
The motion follows growing Opposition scrutiny of Wickramaratne’s conduct in office and his handling of parliamentary affairs.
Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera had informed Parliament on 6 October that the motion was expected to be submitted on 9 October.
Separately, the Patriotic National Movement (PHU) has submitted documentary evidence relating to 10 allegations against the Speaker to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Government previously indicated readiness for debate
Ratnayake had previously stated in Parliament that the Government was ready to proceed with a debate on the no-confidence motion once it was formally submitted and placed on the Order Paper.
The NPP’s reported proposal to refer the motion to the AG has therefore raised questions about the procedural steps the Government intends to pursue before Parliament considers the matter.
A referral to the AG would allow legal considerations relating to the motion to be examined, but it remains to be established what recommendations would be sought and whether the referral would affect the parliamentary timetable.
The motion places the Speaker, who presides over parliamentary proceedings, at the centre of a significant political confrontation between the Government and the Opposition.
The next steps will depend on how the Government proceeds with its proposed referral and how Parliament handles the motion under its applicable procedures.
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