UNP says Ministry Secys functioning illegally

The United National Party yesterday questioned the legitimacy of ministry secretaries functioning when Cabinet stood dissolved.

In a statement, UNP MP J.C. Alawathuwala noted that the President Maithripala Sirisena had no authority to instruct ministry secretaries as he had done.

The statement noted that the President was acting in violation of the Constitution by instructing ministry secretaries as he had not been vested with any authority to do so by the Constitution.

Further, referring to Article 52 (2) of the Constitution, he states that a secretary functions under the direct supervision of the line minister.  The statement adds that two no confidence motions had been adopted by Parliament and as per the interim order given by the Court of Appeal on Monday currently no Cabinet functions in the country. 

“Therefore there is no authority which can instruct the ministry secretaries,” the statement said, adding that the President could only instruct secretaries of ministries coming under his portfolio.