Opp. Whip seeks separate seating for expelled MPs

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella yesterday wrote to the Speaker requesting that nine MPs expelled from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentary group be given seating arrangements with the Government.  

Kiriella informed the Speaker of the decision to expel the MPs and requested they be allocated seating away from the SJB group on the side of the Government. 

The Chief Opposition Whip has named the following MPs as those who were expelled – Nazir Ahamed, Ishaq Rahman, Faisal Cassim, A. Ariwind Kumar, Dayana Gamage, Mohammed Haris, M.S. Thaufiq, H.M. Mushraf and Alizahir Raheem.

The request comes in the backdrop of the SJB taking disciplinary action against Opposition MPs who voted in favour of the 20th Amendment last week.  

“When the decision to vote against the 20th Amendment was taken at the PG meeting prior to the second reading of the Amendment, the Chief Opposition Whip had issued a directive to that effect. We are discussing with the coalition party leaders about disciplinary action against their members,” Madduma Bandara told Daily FT, adding that the SJB was also seeking legal consultations regarding further disciplinary action.