The Opposition has decided to refrain from appointing representatives or officially participating in several Parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Parliamentary Business.
According to The Morning newspaper, Chief Opposition Whip MP Gayantha Karunathilleka said the opposition will refrain from participating until their representation in Parliamentary committees is increased.
He said a request had been made from the relevant authorities including the President and both former and incumbent Speakers of the Parliament that the Opposition’s representation in committees such as the Parliamentary Business Committee, the Committee on Public Enterprises, and the Committee on Public Accounts be increased.
MP Gayantha Karunathilleka said, however, there had been no favourable response.
Stating that the Opposition Leader and Chief Opposition Whip can officially attend the Parliamentary Business Committee, he said, however, only four other Opposition MPs are allowed to be appointed to it.
MP Gayantha Karunathilleka further pointed out that in the previous Parliament, with just six political parties in the Opposition, 10 Opposition MPs were appointed to the Parliamentary Business Committee.
“Now, with 12 political parties in the Opposition, the current representation of four is insufficient. We raised this issue with the former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala. After his resignation, we discussed it with the current Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, and he said that he would study the matter. We also met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the Parliament, and he said that we would be provided with a flexible solution. However, nothing has happened yet,” he alleged. (Newswire)