NFA MPs request PM to convene Parliament immediately

By Yohan Perera   

Around 35 MPs who have formed the Jathika Nidahas Sandhanaya (National Freedom Alliance) in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, had informed him to.make arrangements to convene Parliament immediately in order to discuss the crisis pertaining to the Local Government election.   

The MPs have requested the PM to convene the House using powers vested to him under standing order 26.  

“The decision to postpone postal voting has become a threat for democracy. Rufusal by the treasury to allocate funds for ballot papers and the refusal by the government printers to print them have been cited as reasons for the postponement. We are sure that you are aware of the consequences that Sri Lanka would suffer if the election is postponed. Therefore we urge you to convene Parliament immediately so that legislators could exercise their duty of resolving this crisis,” the MPs said in their letter.   

MP Dallas Alahaperuma when contacted by Dailymirror said they want the House convened before February 21.