Dinesh and Nimal camps embroiled in Opposition Leader title tussle

Thursday, 9 April 2015 01:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Facing the dilemma of deciding on a proper Opposition Leader Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa in deep thought at a SLFP Youth Front event on the 19th Amendment held at the BMICH Yesterday alongside Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent The battle between those supporting Dinesh Gunawardena and Nimal Siripala de Silva over the appointment of a new Opposition Leader resurfaced yesterday in Parliament. Engaging in a heated debate, the rival Opposition lawmakers sought to convince Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to resolve the issue which they said was created by the current Government after it appointed both SLFP and UNP members to its Cabinet. MP Kumara Welgama reminded the Speaker to reconsider the testimonies Parliamentarians had submitted in favour of appointing Gunawardena as the new Opposition Leader. “An active Opposition is a strong pillar in democracy. This has nothing to do with the current Opposition Leader but is against principles and ethics,” he said. MP Bandula Gunwardena, endorsing Welgama’s request, accused the current Leader of the Opposition Nimal Siripala de Silva of playing to the tune of the UNP. “Article 144 bestows Parliament with monetary control. The Opposition should be able to control monetary matters in Parliament in a healthy democracy. Yesterday the Prime Minister and the Government brought in an urgent motion in the backdrop where the trust we placed upon the Central Bank was at stake. We were told money was urgently required to pay salaries. But we were unable to arrange at least a meeting in the absence of an effective Opposition collective. If there is an Opposition we will know the necessary measures required to face the fascist movement of the UNP. We need an active politician appointed as Opposition Leader,” he said. The Minister of Plantation Industries and Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella, joining the debate, suggested that the Opposition take the matters to the SLFP party office at Darley Road prior to discussing it at Parliament. “Are you seeking our assistance to appoint the Leader of the Opposition? Why are you getting excited? We got to know the issue between you and the current Opposition Leader, who identified the current issues and was more than willing to extend support to pass money. Do you know the parliamentary traditions? You are nothing but a tuition master. The Opposition Leader who agreed to give support to continue the projects and contracts accepted development should continue. You are now going against him extending support to develop Sri Lanka. Don’t play games. Just name it, we are ready for an election,” said Minister Kiriella. Offering a legal perspective, Prof. G.L. Peiris said: “The UPFA is the largest single party in this Parliament. Other than those who took ministerial positions there are 106 members in this House out of whom 54 represent the UPFA. You have almost 60 affidavits signifying the majority decision. Your decision is not an impossible one but a simple move fully backed by affidavits. I trust you will take an urgent decision over Dinesh Gunwardena, who represents the UPFA.” Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva condemned his colleagues’ efforts to backstab him. “Initially you said that I was unable to be the Opposition Leader simply because some members joined the Government. On the same grounds, the UPFA members are not in a position to submit affidavits. I haven’t supported the Government or its plans. Along with the other political party leaders who were present, I agreed to a debate. If you want to take the Opposition Leader post, take it, but don’t go changing the facts and backstabbing me. I will abide by any decision the Speaker makes,” said De Silva.