UPFA will await SC decision before presenting VOA: Vasu

• Says resolution may have to be passed to withdraw Hansard reports 
• No confidence motion on Speaker to be decided after 7 Dec.  

by Nuwan Senarathna

Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday said the Vote on Account would only be tabled in Parliament if the Supreme Court overturns the gazette dissolving Parliament issued by President Maithripala Sirisena.   

“If the Vote on Account pertains to matters of interest, those who are in Parliament will vote for it,” Nanayakkara told reporters at Prime Minister’s office. 

Nanayakkara assured that Parliamentarians loyal to Mahinda Rajapaksa would be able to secure the majority to pass the Vote on Account in Parliament if the House remains undissolved. 

Referring to a letter submitted by Parliamentarians loyal to Mahinda Rajapaksa to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, requesting him to not to make Hansard reports pertaining to Parliament sessions on 14, 15, 16, 19, 21 and 23 November public, as the said reports were “not legally acceptable”, Nanayakkara said a resolution might have to pass in House to withdraw or annul the publications of the Hansard. 

“We asked the Speaker not to publish the Hansard, which had been printed after the date of dissolution of Parliament. Parliament has been dissolved for all intents and purposes. All that has happened by the Supreme Court order is staying the process of dissolution, and it is not a reversion back to Parliament sittings.”

He pointed out that 14 November was the only valid date to convene Parliament, which was gazetted by President when he had prorogued Parliament.   “According to our position, Parliament could not have sat after dissolution,” he added.  

Speaking on the plans to bring in a No Confidence Motion against Speaker Jayasuriya, Nanayakkara said the decision would be made after the verdict of the Supreme Court on the gazette dissolving Parliament issued by President Maithripala Sirisena. (NS)