By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

A group of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs in a letter addressed to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has alleged that he is continuously acting partially, affecting them mentally.  

“MPs of our party are mentally affected by your action of partiality which has become a continuous eventuality,” the letter signed by 39 SJB MPs said.  

“We have noticed many times that you have been deliberately ignoring the Opposition MPs whenever they oppose a motion.  Also you have allowed MP Prermalal Jayasekera who has been convicted of murder to attend Parliament but had failed to grant the equal right to MP Ranjan Ramanayake. You have also continuously curtailed the right of the Opposition Leader to raise supplementary questions whenever he raised questions under Standing order 27(2). We wonder whether your actions will tarnish the image of Parliament. We understand that you are engaged in SLPP politics. The Speaker who is the leader of all 225 MPs in the House is expected to safeguard the dignity of your post,” the letter said.  “You were unanimously selected as the Speaker of the House as we trusted that you were a man of high reputation and respect. you were a well-respected,” the letter added.