Speaker sticks to his guns

Thursday, 22 November 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Insists it is his “inescapable responsibility” to stand for democracy
Says will stand for the rights of future generations regardless of personal peril
Secretary General of parliament lodges complaint with CID over fake letter
Expresses gratitude to public who have showered him with support

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday stuck to his guns, despite severe criticism, and insisted he would continue to protect the rights of the majority of Parliamentarians and remain unshaken by the events of the last week.

Issuing a statement, the Speaker emphasised that he remains completely committed to protecting Sri Lanka’s democracy and ensuring the future of the unborn generation, and the right to life in a free and democratic country, regardless of the enormity of the abuse, insult, protests, and threats to life he has to face.

“Since 122 Members of Parliament, representing four political parties and groups out of 225 Members of Parliament, have challenged the present administration in writing, it is an inescapable responsibility of the Speaker to listen to the majority opinion, in compliance with the Parliamentary tradition,” the statement said.

Therefore, the level of abuse hurled and protests conducted within and outside Parliament by portraying the stand of the Speaker as being biased will no longer serve any purpose, the statement said. Further, the statement said baseless allegations levelled against the Speaker through regular press conferences by political parties that failed to show their majority in Parliament in the proper manner, and through political protests organised with the participation of their party members, can be observed.

“Proving beyond doubt that the current dispensation commands the support of the majority of Members of Parliament in the House would be more prudent than protests and demonstrations,” the statement added.

Pointing out that a false letter claiming to originate from the Speaker’s office was being circulated, Jayasuriya categorically denied those statements, and said that he had lodged a complaint to the CID over the matter.

The Speaker in his statement also extended his heartfelt gratitude to all the religious leaders and Sri Lankans living within and outside Sri Lanka, for the blessings invoked and the fathomless love extended on him, for his commitment towards protecting democracy and bravely facing the acts of sabotage that engulfed the Parliament recently.