• One will be against the Government and the other against the President

By Yohan Perera  

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) handed over two no confidence motions to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday.  

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said his party has decided to bring in two no confidence motions. One will be against the Government and the other against the President. “We made these decisions at the parliamentary group meeting yesterday,” he said prior to attending a meeting with the Speaker.  

“We also had a dialogue with some MPs who have decided to be independent. We informed them that SJB is not prepared to support an interim government as long as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa remains in his post,” he said.  

MP Harshana Rajakaruna told journalists the SJB group decided to nominate Imthiaz Bakeer Markar for the Deputy Speaker’s post.  
“We have decided to nominate Mr. Bakeer Markar as he is liked by all MPs,” he added.  

Also Mr. Rajakaruna said SJB will request the Speaker to take up the debate on the no confidence motions on Thursday. “We will make this request so that it would be possible to see who would vote for the motions,” he said.  

“We will bring in a no confidence motion against the Speaker as well if he fails to heed to our request,” he added.  MPs Mano Ganesan, Rishad Bathiudeen and Rauff Hakeem said they will support the no confidence motions.