Ravi K raises privilege issue over Presidential Commission of Inquiry summons

Wednesday, 26 July 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ravi Karunanayake yesterday urged the Speaker to investigate the breach of privileges by the members of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Treasury Bond issuance who summoned him on a “busy day” when a Cabinet meeting and Parliament sitting were held.

“Last Saturday I received summons to come on Tuesday. Everybody knows very well that I am a senior Cabinet member and the Cabinet meetings take place on Tuesdays. Furthermore, they also know it is a Parliament day.

I have no intention of disobeying the summons issued by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry and will appear before it as soon as parliamentary duties permit me to do so,” he assured.

The Minister, saying that Parliament was a supreme body as per the Constitution, said the right of a member to attend Parliament without hindrance or obstruction was a long recognised privilege as per the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act in the UK, other Commonwealth Parliaments and Sri Lanka.

The visibly annoyed Minister also highlighted how the members of the Rajapaksa regime who “robbed the country for 11 years are going scot free” while senior Cabinet ministers in the Government are being called before commissions. “This is the sense of transparency our Government is maintaining. I am so proud to be in this Government,” he added. (AH)