Sajith Premadasa, who was named as the new Opposition Leader, should be given the opportunity of discharging his duties to pave the way for him to function as a member of the Constitutional Council, former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said yesterday.

He told journalists that Mr. Premadasa should also be provided with all the facilities he needs to function as the Leader of the Opposition.

“As we understand the Constitutional Council is meeting on December 12, 2019. Therefore, Mr. Premadasa should be appointed as a member of the Constitutional Council before that date."

Mr. Attanayake added that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya should make this appointment before December 12 so that Mr. Premadasa could participate at the Constitutional Council meeting.

“Mr. Premadasa will not be able to function as Opposition Leader if parliament is prorogued once again after January 3, 2019. If such a thing would happen one will have to conclude that the appointment of Mr. Premadasa to the post was not done in a genuine manner,” he said. (Yohan Perera)