SB says SLFP sees no reason to oppose no-confidence motion against PM

• Says reasons for no-confidence motion have been discussed by SLFPers before 
• Invites all parties to join SLFP in forming new government after no-confidence motion 

 Skandha Gunasekara

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) remained ambivalent about the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, but conceded that the reasons given in the motion were valid and the party had no reason to oppose it.

Social Empowerment, Welfare and Kandyan Heritage Minister S.B. Dissanayake, addressing a media briefing held at the party headquarters yesterday, said that a majority of the reasons given for the no-confidence were already being advocated by SLFP MPs. 

“UPFA General Secretary Minister Mahinda Amaraweera was one of the first individuals to go before the Bribery Commission to lodge a complaint regarding the Central Bank Bond scam. We have continuously been calling for action against those responsible for the bond scam. In addition, we have highlighted on various occasions the stagnation of our economy. The growth experienced in 2015 could not be maintained. The no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister has several factors that we can agree on.”

He went on to say that although an official decision was yet to be taken, the SLFP had no reason to oppose the no-confidence motion against the Premier. 

“We have no intention of destabilising the Government but with the situation at hand and the allegations levelled in the motion, we find it extremely difficult to oppose the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister. As it is, several of our MPs have already placed their signatures on the motion,” he said, adding that he could not outright declare that the SLFP supported the no-confidence motion as it was unconstitutional. 

He added that the SLFP would decide on its stance by 4 April.

He then said that the SLFP had invited all political parties to form a government with the SLFP without Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

“Both UNP and SLFP MPs tried to bring, in a very democratic manner, changes to the Government from within but it was unsuccessful. We see this no-confidence motion as an opportunity to form a new and better national government. We have invited all political parties to come and join with us to form a government after 4 April.”

The Minister then noted that if a secret ballot was required, an MP must first make a request which would then be put to a vote to decide whether to have a secret ballot for the no-confidence motion or not.

“Only during the impeachment of the President or the appointment of the Speaker is the voting carried according to a secret ballot. During a no-confidence motion an MP must make a request for a secret ballot and a vote must be taken on the request to decide whether to go for a secret ballot or not.”