GL slams Speaker for ruling on debt restructuring resolution

Rebel SLPP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (28) flayed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena over the latter’s recent declaration that a resolution endorsed by Parliament couldn’t be challenged in court.

Addressing the media at the SLPP office at Nawala, Prof. Peiris took exception to the Speaker’s ruling which he called a threat to democracy.

The former External Affairs Minister pointed out that an Act couldn’t be challenged in court once the Speaker endorsed it.

But, the move to bar courts from hearing petitions in respect of proposals accepted in Parliament couldn’t be acceptable under any circumstances, the academic said. A future government would reverse the Speaker’s declaration, the former minister said.

Responding to a query regarding the recent discussions the rebel SLPP group had with the JVP, Prof. Peiris said that discussions were taking place among Opposition political parties and groups, including the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to agree on a common programme.

At the onset of the briefing, Prof. Peiris said that they would have to take tangible measures to establish a cohesive social security network that provided for the needy. The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government has simply ignored even the basic needs of the people against the backdrop of the unprecedented economic fallout.

Prof. Peiris said that the implementation of ‘Aswesuma’ in place of ‘Samurdhi’, without proper study, revealed the callous attitude of the Wickremesinghe-led administration. Their insensitivity has been declared again when domestic debt-restructuring mercilessly targeted the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees Trust Fund (ETF), thereby increasing the burdens on the ordinary people, whereas those invested in ISBs International Souverign Bonds) were not touched (SF)