Speaker acts as per the Parliament composition before its dissolution

Colombo (News 1st) - Minister of Ports and Shipping, Mahinda Samarasinghe talking to the media stated that the actions of the speaker are not only a violation of the standing orders but also a strategic political agenda to bring in the former government into power. MP Dinesh Gunawardena adding after MP Samarasinghe stated that under the 152nd paragraph of the constitution when a bill is presented to Parliament, especially if it is related to finance, the approval of the cabinet of Ministers is essential. He noted that only a Minister can present such a bill. He went on to state that this fact is given in the standing orders of the Court as well. Then he noted that the Speaker has challenged the constitution by taking this matter up for debate in Parliament today. Mahinda Samarasinghe stated that when considering the people who were invited to speak in Parliament today, Lakshman Kiriella was right on top of the list. He went on to note that after Kiriella it was R. Sambanthan, then Gayantha Kunatilake, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Rauff Hakim. Further, he went on to state that the Speaker is acting following the composition which existed before the Parliament was dissolved and therefore they decided not to attend today's session.