Speaker thwarts Wimal’s attempt for NFF to be recognised as party in P’ment

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday refused National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former UPFA Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa’s request for his party to be recognised in Parliament.

Announcing his decision, the Speaker said: “The Parliament can only accept political parties which were mentioned in the gazette notification announcing those who submitted nominations and were elected to Parliament. The members’ discretions to support or represent a certain group or a political party will not be taken into consideration.”

As per the extraordinary gazette notification 1928/2 of 19 August 2015, issued by the Elections Commissioner, the United National Party (UNP), United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) are the six political parties acknowledged by the 8th Parliament. 

“It was common for members to become independent in the Parliament by walking out from their political parties. The Speakers have ensured the rights of such members on numerous occasions. As per the gazette notification 1928/2 of 19 August 2015, Weerawansa was elected to Parliament from the UPFA. I am not aware, and will not consider the internal agreements between the members and groups within these elected political parties in Parliament. Having contested from a political party and becoming independent after getting elected to Parliament leads to the collapse of the parliamentary system and party politics,” said Speaker Jayasuriya, refusing to recognise the NFF as another political party in the 8th Parliament by going against the gazette notification of the Elections Commissioner.

After the Speaker’s statement, a tense situation erupted in Parliament with Weerawansa and the Joint Opposition disrupting proceedings and challenging the Speaker’s decision. Unable to bring the House to order, the Speaker suspended the parliamentary sittings thrice yesterday and the Parliament Police was called inside the Chamber for the first time in the recent past. 

Rejecting the Speaker’s decision, Joint Opposition strongman Dinesh Gunawardena and Weerawansa asked for an opportunity to voice their concerns. In response, the Speaker agreed to listen to them tomorrow.

“Your criticisms and insults are not aimed at me personally, but to the dignity of the House. MP Dinesh Gunawardena you are a very senior politician. You should not behave like this. I remember when you were the Chief Government Whip you did not even allow me to stand up to move the Right to Information Bill. How can you talk about freedom of speech now? You cannot change the rulings by pressuring and threatening. There is a limit to my patience. You are wasting public money. Please allow me to carry on the business of the House or leave,” the Speaker told Gunawardena. (AH)