• Says it’s only a delusion to suggest that Parliament would pass a resolution to postpone or disrupt local government polls

By Sandun A Jayasekera

Dismissing in toto the speculations by certain political parties and the mainstream and social media that the government has advanced forward the meeting of Parliament in the New Year to 5th from 17th, January with an ulterior motive to block the local government polls, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said the decision for an early meeting was taken with the consent of all political parties.

 “There is no such move. The decision to bring forward the first parliamentary meeting in 2023 after the post budget recession was taken at the Parliamentary Business Committee meeting on the request of the Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha with the agreement of all other parties including the opposition,” Speaker, Mr. Abeywardena told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Parliament will attend only to the businesses mentioned in the Order Paper. Only two Bills are scheduled to be debated on the 5th. Therefore, it is only a delusion to suggest that parliament would pass a resolution to postpone or disrupt local government polls,” he added.

Meanwhile, Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha confirming what the Speaker said noted that January 19th is a long date for Parliament to meet after Parliament met for the last time on December 13th .  

“The year 2023 is going to be a busy for Parliament. We have two Bills to debate and pass sooner than later. The Parliament will take up ‘The Muslim Marriages and Divorce (Amendment) Act and the Recovery of Premises Given on Lease (Special Provisions) Act on the 5th. No new business has been included in the Order Paper for the 5th,” Minister Premajayantha told Daily Mirror yesterday.”

The government cannot change the Order Paper arbitrarily and without the agreement of the Opposition. Therefore, the suggestion of any ulterior motive on the meeting on 5th is only a wishful thinking, he said.

The JVP is suspicious on Parliament meeting on the 5th January and has said the modus operandy was to postpone the LG polls.