SLFP nominates MP Angajan Ramanathan as next Deputy Speaker

Wednesday, 23 May 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Skandha Gunasekara and Ashwin Hemaththagama

The SLFP has requested the permission of President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as its leader, to appoint SLFP national list MP Angajan Ramanathan to the post of Deputy Speaker, it was revealed at yesterday’s party leaders meeting.

UPFA General Secretary, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, told the party leaders meeting that his party had nominated Ramanathan to President Sirisena to be appointed as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

However, political sources said that TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran had said that his party objected to the nomination. During recent sessions, the Government had opposed Thilanga Sumathipala continuing as the Deputy Speaker on the grounds that he had crossed over to the Opposition with 15 other SLFP MPs, submitting a letter to the President that he would be stepping down from his position.

According to the agreement between the two parties in the Unity Government, the post of Deputy Speaker must be filled by an MP from the SLFP.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is a UNP MP. The party leaders meeting was held at the parliamentary complex yesterday with Speaker Jayasuriya presiding over the meeting.

A. Sithambaram was the last Tamil MP to hold the post of Deputy Speaker, serving in the role from 1968-1970. The appointment of Ramanathan as the next Deputy Speaker would break a 48-year-old record.