Request to expedite debate on no-confidence against Rishard Bathiudeen

COLOMBO (News 1st): MP Dinesh Gunawardene states that a request will be made to expedite the debate regarding the no-confidence motion against Minister Rishard Bathiudeen at the party leader's meeting due next week. He further said that the request will be made by him on behalf of the joint opposition. MP Gunawardene noted that they are also conducting discussions seeking support for the motion from several other parties in the opposition including the JVP. The no-confidence motion was handed over by a group of MPs including MP Udaya Gammanpila to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday (May 16). The motion contains ten accusations including sustaining Islam extremist terrorism, supporting terrorists and intervening in investigations carried out on terrorism. It further specifies incidents regarding influencing the army commander to release the suspects arrested in connection to the 04/21 attacks, providing ammunition illegally to a factory owned by Imshan Ahamed Ibrahim and also influencing the police during the legalities against the minister's brother Rifkan Bathiudeen. Meanwhile, MP Mahinda Amaraweera states that a final decision on the support of the SLFP to the no-confidence motion will be made next week. The decision is due to be made following discussions with the President.