IPU to intervene for Joint Opposition p’ment privileges

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Secretary Martin Chungong has agreed to conduct an inspection of the parliamentary privileges assigned to the Joint Opposition, an official said yesterday.  

PHU Leader and Joint Opposition member MP Udaya Gammanpila told reporters the IPU will arrange a discussion between the Joint Opposition and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya regarding the matter.

“The IPU will try to solve the alleged problems via a discussion. If the discussion fails the IPU will grant a solution after an inspection. The IPU will be the link between Jayasuriya and us,” he noted.

Gammanpila stated the Joint Opposition handed over a letter to the IPU General Secretary with the signatures of some MPs including Dinesh Gunawardena, C.B. Ratnayake, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Pavithra Wanniarachchi. 

According to him the letter made charges over six points including  recognition of the  Joint Opposition as the main opposition, insufficient time allocation to address the House, the perceived disregard of the 53 MPs of the Joint Opposition, abolishing Parliamentary privileges of party leaders, and delay of providing answers to questions raised by the Joint Opposition. 

Commenting about the recent incident of recovering explosives in Chavakachcheri, Gammanpila said the Government should hand over those found explosives immediately to the Government Analyst’s Department to verify their age. 

“The discovered explosives include C4 explosives which we believe were in fresh condition. Therefore the Government cannot brand them as explosives used in war time. The relevant institutions must hold an inspection to remove the suspicion of the public,” he said.  

MP Udaya Gammanpila addressing media (second from left). PHU Ratmalana organiser Daya Tennakoon (left) and PHU Media Secretary Thushara Dissanayake (right) are also present