By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

SJB will have to wait till the Court of Appeal (CA) gives its verdict on MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is convicted for Contempt of Court, to present a motion of leave for him, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene said yesterday.  

The Speaker was responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as to why he had rejected the leave motion.  

“Mr. Ramanayake is a prisoner as he has been convicted of Contempt of Court by the highest judicial institution of this country. There is no provision for Mr. Ramanayake to appeal against the verdict. The Opposition makes allegations against me for allowing MP Premalal Jayasekera to come to Parliament. He was only a remand prisoner when he filed an appeal against his verdict. A remand prisoner can come to Parliament as per the law,” the Speaker said.  He said there is time for the SJB to move the leave motion, as the House will be convened for another week during this month, while it will be convened once again during the first week in April.  

Mr. Premadasa said there is a serious issue when it comes to the execution of duties by Speaker Abeywardene, “You are treating the Government MP Jayasekera differently from Opposition MP Ramanayake. Therefore there is a serious issue pertaining to the execution of your duties,” he said.