Nothing to do with his absence, says Speaker

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

There was uproar in Parliament yesterday compelling Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene to suspend sittings for more than fifteen minutes.  

 Hell broke out when SJB MPs staged a protest inside the Chambers calling to withdraw the letter sent by Secretary General of the House Dhammika Dassanayake to Elections Commission Chairman informing him that MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s seat had fallen vacant. SJB MPs took out placards and started protesting when the Opposition leader requested the Speaker to withdraw the letter sent to the Elections Commission. “There is a conspiracy to get rid of Mr. Ramanayake from Parliament and the Speaker is involved in it,” Mr. Premadasa said.  
The Speaker explained that the decision was made to inform the Commission of Elections that Mr. Ramanayake had ceased to be an MP as per the constitution and it has nothing to do with the leave motion which was to be moved by the SJB.  

Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardene said Mr. Ramanayake was not the only one who had lost his seat following the judgements given by the Judiciary. “ Late Lalith Athulathmudali, G. M. Premachandra and Gamini Dissanayake also lost their seats after judgements delivered by the judiciary while one MP was not allowed to enter into Parliament premises during the time of late President J. R. Jayewardene,” he said.  

Mr. Premadasa was continuously arguing with the Speaker when the protest inside the chambers began. “Secure Ranjan’s rights,” the placards read. The SJB MPs were also seen wearing black bands on their arms.   Few ruling party members also began a counter protest with placards at the same time. They came in front of SJB MPs and held their placards.    
The letter sent by Secretary General of Parliament to Elections Commission Chairman informing him about the seat of MP Ranjan Ramanayake falling vacant has nothing to do with his absence for the sessions since January this year, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene announced yesterday. 

 
“The Secretary General of Parliament had informed the Chairman of Election Commission that, Ranjan Ramanayake ceased to be a Member of Parliament and accordingly there’s a vacant seat in Parliament with respect to the electoral district of Gampaha in terms of Article 66 (d) of the Constitution.