Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Kaviṇḍa Jayawardena has lodged complaints with two international parliamentary bodies against Sri Lanka’s Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, accusing him of undermining parliamentary democracy.
Dr. Jayawardena said that the complaints were submitted via email on behalf of the Opposition to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in London and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva.
Both organisations have acknowledged receipt and indicated that they will initiate investigations into the allegations.
The complaints allege that Speaker Wickramaratne has repeatedly acted in ways that hinder the democratic functioning of Parliament.
Key points include the Speaker’s failure to provide adequate opportunities for Opposition MPs to voice their opinions, violations of Parliament’s Standing Orders, and the unjustified rejection of a no-confidence motion against the Deputy Minister of Defence.
MP Jayawardena stressed that the complaints are supported by documented evidence and represent serious concerns about the impartiality and conduct of the Speaker’s office.
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