5 July 2023 03:17 pm Views - 1105
A gazette notification which was issued on June 26 to reconvene dissolved local government bodies was presented to Parliament for its approval amidst cries from the opposition.
As per the gazette notification all Pradeshiya Sabhas, Urban Councils and Municipal Councils that have been dissolved could be reconvened by the Minister in charge of Local Government and Provincial Councils for a period as decided upon at the subject Minister's discretion, notwithstanding the lapse of 12 months extension which was made earlier as the elections to these bodies could not be held.
The Municipal Councils Ordinance, the Pradeshiya Sabha Act and the Urban Council Ordinance are to be amended accordingly to reconvene the local bodies.
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said reconvening the dissolved bodies was undemocratic.
"This is done following the request by 'kaputa' and his ghost and we will go to courts against it," he said.
MP Harsha de Silva questioned as to why the Speaker had entertained this gazette as it is unconstitutional.
MP Jayantha Ketagoda questioned as to how the SJB is objecting to this move after calling the former Speaker to reconvene the previous Parliament which was disolved in 2020.
"We called for the reconvening of Parliament to decide on how to face the COVID 19 pandemic which was prevailing at that time. There are 'thakathiruwas' who do not understand anything," he said.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said the Opposition is free to take legal action against the move. (Yohan Perera and Ajirh Siriwardana)