Speaker's statement has confused the people - Min. Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa

Colombo (News1st) - On Monday (Nov 5th), Speaker Karu Jayasuriya issued a statement which noted that until a new faction is capable of showing a majority in parliament, he is compelled to accept the state of parliament that existed before the change. Government Media Spokesperson Min. Mahinda Samarasinghe and Min. of Education and Higher Education Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe responded to the Speaker's letter at a media briefing held later in the day. Min. Samarasinghe stated that the convening of parliament on the 14th has been gazetted. He called the Speaker's statement "politically biased" and said that it does not set a good example. "We request him to respect the law and the constitution. All decisions made by the President comply with the constitution. This can be challenged in high courts by lodging a fundamental human rights petition." said Min. Samarasinghe. Minister (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe stated that the power to appoint a Prime Minister and prorogue parliament has remained unchanged as discretionary powers to date, since the inception of the constitutional system in 1978. Dr. Rajapakshe added that the 19th amendment has not imposed any restrictions to these powers and that the president will appoint a prime minister who he believes will claim a majority in parliament. However, he added, the prime minister being appointed "must accept the challenge of facing a no-confidence motion". He said that "all the opposition can do is to show their strength by defeating the budget in parliament. Under this political condition, if any conflict takes place, the speaker must take full responsibility for it. Because it is the speaker's statement that has confused the people."