• I have been elected to Parliament on the SLPP ticket by people with 136,331 votes
• MP Gammanpila had approached Chief Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando who had replied him saying “Let’s see.”

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

One of the sacked ministers, MP Udaya Gammanpila, has been denied permission to speak in Parliament in the debate on the energy crisis on March 10.    

Raising the matter on Twitter, the former Energy Minster said he had made a written request on March 07 seeking a time slot since he was expelled from the position. However, the Office of the Government Whip had informed him that he could not be permitted to speak.   

Subsequently, MP Gammanpila had approached Chief Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando who had replied him saying “Let’s see.”  

“The Office of Government Whip informed me that I cannot be permitted to speak as the list was full despite I having been the Minister of Energy until March 3. I have already complained to the Speaker seeking justice for me,” he said.   

“I have been elected to Parliament on the SLPP ticket by people with 136,331 votes. Denying my right to speak in Parliament by SLPP means denying my voters to express their hearts and minds. I respectfully expect the Speaker to protect my right to speak in Parliament,” Gammanpila added.