SLFPer reverses decision to quit post of Deputy Speaker

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declined to accept the letter, submitted by Kegalle District MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, to quit the post of Deputy Speaker. The Presidential Media Division said that the President had requested SLFPer Siyambalapitiya to continue in the post.

The 14-member group of parliamentarians, representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, on Tuesday (05) announced, in Parliament, their decision to leave the government and work independently, and resigned from their respective posts.

Parliamentary democracy must be safely carried forward, the President stated and declined to accept the letter submitted by Ranjith Siyambalapitiya to resign from the post of Deputy Speaker.

The President made these remarks during the discussion held with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party at the Presidential Secretariat in Fort on Tuesday (05).

Accordingly, Siyambalapitiya said that he would continue to serve as the Deputy Speaker with the consent of the Parliamentary Group representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

SLFP Chairman and former President Maithripala Sirisena and all SLFP Members of Parliament were present at the discussion.