Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa reacted in Parliament today (July 24) to the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the current Inspector General of Police (IGP) from performing his duties until the conclusion of the trial against him.
MP Premadasa claimed that the Speaker of the Parliament distorted the Constitutional Council’s decision regarding Deshabandu Tennakoon’s appointment and informed the President through a letter, which violated the Constitution.
He mentioned that the actions taken by the Constitutional Council were manipulated by the Speaker, who sent a fraudulent letter that violated the Constitution and further argued that the appointment made based on this letter was unconstitutional.
MP Premadasa highlighted that after the Constitutional Council meeting concluded, its decision was not communicated to Parliament but directly to the President, which is a breach of procedure. He demanded that the government provide an explanation for the appointments made based on the Speaker’s letter to the President.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has previously accused the Government of appointing Deshabandu Tennakoon without the necessary approval of the Constitutional Council.
“There were four votes in favour, two against, while two members of the CC abstained. At least five votes are required for a decision. The Speaker has a casting vote only in case of a tie. There was no tie. The Constitution has been blatantly violated for the second time,” he said at the time of Deshabandu Tennakoon’s appointment as IGP. (Newswire)
