Joint Opposition questions the speaker

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Joint Opposition yesterday (May 24), questioned the speaker on the appointment of MP's with allegations to the COPE committee.

The debate...

MP Susil Premajayantha: "...Parliament sessions re-commenced on the 08th after it was prorogued. 16 MPs left the government and took their seats with the opposition. They need to be given the opportunity be in the committees. Their privileges will be violated if they are not included in any of these committees..." Speaker Karu Jayasuriya: "...The alliance must put forward the names. The parliamentary group leader of the alliance has agreed to provide the names..." MP Bandula Gunawardane: "...There is the Committee on Public Finance and the Committee on Public Enterprises. There is no tradition of appointing the same individuals into those bodies after Parliament was prorogued. Please appoint new members to these bodies..." Speaker Karu Jayasuriya: "...We have reached an agreement at the party leaders meeting. If that is done, it will take months. If there are changes, we can do that. Dinesh Gunawardena agreed to that..." MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage: "...According to the bond commission report, several members of COPE were exposed for having telephone conversations with the accused in the incident. It was proven at the Bond Commission. I wish to know, have you informed the party leaders about this. What measures have the party leaders taken? Have they been re-appointed to COPE?..." Speaker Karu Jayasuriya: "... It was discussed at the party leaders meeting. They were of the view, though there are allegations and cases with the FCID and CID, if people are to be removed, a lot of people will have to be removed. If the allegations are proven the government can take a decision. There is no decision to remove them now and I cannot influence them to do so..."