Current Parliament “expired”: SLPP

Tuesday, 28 January 2020 00:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SLPP backs General Elections to obtain two-thirds majority
Applauds many measures taken despite having to function as interim Govt.
Says Prime Minister will contest from Kurunegala

A two-thirds majority in Parliament is vital for the successful implementation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy and projects, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said

SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris

yesterday, referring to the existing House as an “expired Parliament.”

SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday reiterated the support given to President Rajapaksa to carry out the policies outlined in his manifesto, and emphasised the importance of achieving a two-thirds majority in Parliament to fast-track development in the country.

At a press briefing held at the SLPP Head Office, Prof. Peiris spoke about the initiatives implemented during the past two months, saying that they were all achieved under an interim Government, which made the process more challenging.

“The reason for saying this is that all this was done without having a majority in Parliament,” Prof. Peiris explained, adding that a President that comes into power with such a large majority of votes should ideally have the right to dissolve Parliament.

“According to the 19th Amendment, the President cannot dissolve Parliament until four and a half years have passed since the day it first met,” he said, referring to the current Parliament as an ‘expired Parliament.’

While Parliament can be dissolved by the President after 2 March, a Parliamentary Election is expected to take place during the last week of April, he said. A two-thirds majority in Parliament was vital to complete the victory gained at the Presidential Election, Peiris added, insisting that would pave the way for more significant changes to take place.

UPFA Parliamentarian and State Energy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardana also spoke at the event, saying, “With Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s blessings, we will definitely get a two-thirds majority.”

The SLPP Chairman also addressed reports that stated Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would not be contesting at the General Elections from the Kurunegala District, saying there was no truth to them. Several media reports over the weekend had suggested that Rajapaksa would contest from Gampaha.