Lapse of VoA will not hinder Govt. functions: SLPP

Wednesday, 29 April 2020 05:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Contends President constitutionally empowered to continue withdrawing funds from Consolidated Fund
Says as functions of public service not affected, reconvening Parliament unnecessary
Insists President’s COVID-19 Fund sufficiently transparent

Despite the Vote on Account (VoA) lapsing on 30 April, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday contended President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is constitutionally empowered to continue withdrawing public funds from the Consolidated Fund to meet any necessary expenditure.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo, SLPP Senior Member and former parliamentarian Susil Premajayantha said despite the VoA lapsing on Thursday, the President is constitutionally empowered to continue allocating funds to meet the needs of the public service. According to Premajayantha, reconvening Parliament is unnecessary, as there would be no funding challenges to continue COVID-19 countermeasures.

“As per Article 150 (3) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the President has the authority to authorise payments from the Consolidated Fund and the use of such sums as he may consider necessary for the public services until the expiry of a period of three months from the date on which the new Parliament is summoned to meet,” he said.

Premajayantha argued as per Article 150 (3) of the Constitution there was no need to fear that the country was on the brink of a constitutional crisis.

Referring to plans for the President’s COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund, the former Parliamentarian assured President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had been transparent and disclosed information on donations to the public on a regular basis.

“There is no need to raise concerns about the COVID-19 fund. The Presidential Secretariat has been transparent about it from the start. The funds will be used to provide relief measures. The balance and donations to the fund will be notified to the public every day to maintain the transparency of the fund,” he added.

Premajayantha reiterated the Government will only focus on the containment of COVID-19 and assured priority would be given to the safety of the public. He noted the final decision of when to hold Parliamentary Elections would be made by the Elections Commission and reiterated the Government would not influence this process.