UNP MP Kavinda Jayawardana steps down from PSC

Saturday, 25 May 2019 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says he wants to focus on helping victims
Rajitha and JVP MP appointed as replacements

By Ruwandi Gamage

Member of Parliament Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana stepped down from the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) yesterday, which was appointed to inquire about the Easter Sunday attacks.

Jayawardana stated that after stating his reasons to the Speaker, he resigned from the responsibilities assigned to him within the PSC. He told Daily FT that he was honoured and humbled to have been selected for such a responsibility, but that he felt he needed to devote his time to helping the victims of the attacks.

“The Committee is a full-time responsibility. Hence, I will have to give up on all other duties and responsibilities and be fully committed towards the PSC. I want to devote my time to uplift and safeguard the livelihood of the victims of the Easter attacks. Therefore, I decided I could do more if I am not occupied full-time,” he added.

The PSC appointed to look into the coordinated terror attacks on Easter Sunday last month was announced by the Speaker on Thursday. The Special Select Committee was comprised of seven members, and was chaired by Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasinghe.

Minister of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education Rauff Hakeem, MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Minister of Power, Energy and Business Development Ravi Karunanayake, MP Kavinda Jayawardana, MP Ashu Marasinghe, MP Jayampathy Wickramaratne, and MP M. A. Sumanthiran are the appointed members of the Committee.

After the stepping down of MP Dr. Jayawardena, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne was appointed from the Government side and JVP Parliamentarian Nalinda Jayathissa has been appointed as a representative of the Opposition.

The Parliament approval for the setting up of this Committee was received on Wednesday (22 May). The Committee is expected to produce its report before the completion of three months after its initial meeting.