President never threatened legislature

• MP Buddhika Pathirana rated the President’s letter as a threat to the legislature   

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

As opposition MPs including Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella objected to the letter sent by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stating that Parliament was slow in its work, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga said yesterday the President did not threaten but only made a request to the legislature to expedite its work.  

“The remarks made by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and MP Buddhika Pathirana implies that the President had threatened the legislature. He had not done so as he had only made a humble request, He had ended the letter with ‘I kindly request,” Ranatunga said.   

“What the President had actually wanted is to expedite the implementation of the proposal to appoint five youth to each committee in the House. He also wanted to expedite the appointment of new committees such as the committee on banking and finances. Party leaders discuss matters and conclude without agreeing on matters. Therefore implementation is delayed,” he added.   

The issue was raised by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella initially, while MP Buddhika Pathirana rated the President’s letter as a threat to the legislature.   

“The President does not have the right to find fault with the legislature. You are correct in saying the delay in Parliament has been caused by the failure of the government to produce documents. We have been asking for a copy of the agreement which the government had finalized with the IMF. It is yet to be given,” Kiriella said.   

“I see this letter written by the President to the Speaker as a threat. Executive cannot go for a conflict with the legislature. The President’s letter is disturbing,” Pathirana said.