SJB, two other opposition parties to meet today on final stand

• SJB calls for appointment of a permanent chairman to the Public Finance Committee

By Yohan Perera

Three opposition parties and groups - Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma and the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) - will meet for the second time today to take a final stand on the proposed Central Bank (Amendment) Bill.   

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella told Daily Mirror that some opposition political parties including TNA and the group led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma met in the parliamentary complex to discuss the controversial Bill and other businesses pending at the moment. 

 “We mainly discussed the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill. The issue with the Bill is that the Central Bank Governor and the Deputy Governors are appointed by the President. This brings up a question on the independence of the Central Bank. Therefore, we decided that there should be amendments to the Bill. However we decided to meet today again to take a final decision.   

However, Jathika Jana Balawegaya has not participated in the discussion.   
Meanwhile the SJB called for the appointment of a permanent chairman to the Public Finance Committee. “The party was to meet Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abewardena to discuss the issue but the meeting was postponed,” Mr. Kiriella said.   

“The government has been appointing temporary chairpersons to the committee but we want a permanent chairman appointed from the opposition as per the standing orders.