War of words over PM’s no-confidence motion

• “Unethical” behaviour of Govt. resulted in “historic” move, says Rajapaksa
• UNP adamant motion will not be taken up in Parliament 
• Calls for quick approval of 20A to dissolve House     

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s no-confidence motion has awakened fresh controversy on both sides of the political divide, with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday calling it a result of the Government’s “unethical” behaviour and the UNP earmarking it as a pointless move. 

The no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will not be taken up for debate in Parliament, assured Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, as such a move would be the decision of the Government.

Rajapakshe insisted the onus of whether or not to debate the motion, which has been signed by 112 Parliamentarians, was the decision of the Government. He also noted that as a minority Government, it would be “unwise” to take up the motion. 

“Even a child in the second grade can understand what would happen if the motion is taken for debate in a Parliament where the Opposition has the majority,” he added. 

Instead he reiterated the need to dissolve Parliament and recalled President Maithripala Sirisena was also pushing for dissolution as soon as possible. He called on all parties to end the current stalemate on the 20th Amendment or assist in appointing the Constitutional Council so the political deadlock could be broken. Stagnation of the electoral reforms is instigated by Rajapaksa supporters in Parliament, according to the Minister.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also chimed in on the issue releasing a statement where he describes the no-confidence motion as a “first” in history.

“It is probably for the first time in the history of the Westminster parliamentary tradition that such a large number of MPs have signed a no-confidence motion, but it is hardly a surprise, due to the unethical conduct of the Government,” the statement read.

Rajapaksa also took the opportunity to once again deny any wrongdoing in the alleged disappearance of Rs. 28 billion loaned from the National Savings Bank. The former President dismissed Wickremesinghe’s allegations the money was spent on personal use and gives a breakdown of payments. One large chunk of Rs. 6.5 billion was paid as the local component of 22 foreign funded projects which included the Outer Circular Highway and the UK Steel Bridge project.

“An estimated Rs. 14 billion was spent on road widening and improvement, another Rs. 4 billion on maintenance and repair of bridges and the final Rs. 3.7 billion on Maga Neguma rural road projects. The Prime Minister was not speaking the truth when he said that this Rs. 28 billion had been used for purposes other than building roads,” the statement said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith Perera also told reporters on Sunday the United National Party (UNP) had raised concerns over the no-confidence motion with President Maithripala Sirisena, who had assured it would not be allowed to make a significant impact.