Tense situation in Parliament over govt. move to pass resolution to summon EC officials

By Saman Indrajith

A tense situation arose in Parliament yesterday as the Opposition tried to prevent the passing of a motion by SLPP backbenchers to summon the officials of the Election Commission (EC) before a parliamentary select committee to ascertain whether they had violated the privileges of MPs.

The ruckus commenced when SLPP MP D. Weerasinghe moved a motion for the appointment of a “Select Committee of Parliament to investigate the matters relating to the Election Commission in respect of the incidents of infringement of privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make suitable recommendations in that regard.” The motion was seconded by SLPP MP Manjula Warnakumara.

SJB MP Gayantha Karunathialke said that the Opposition was totally against the motion being passed without a debate.

SLMC leader Rauff Hakim said that the motion was unprecedented. “Generally, a PSC is appointed only to find solutions for a problem of national importance. This PSC is proposed for a selfish need of the government. Just because the government has a majority in Parliament it cannot be allowed to abuse parliamentary procedures for its gain. We are against this move. There is a motive to exert influence on the judiciary here. This is wrong. We need a debate on the matter,” Hakim said.

Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha:

We made a decision on this at the business committee. The matter could be referred for a debate.

JVP-led NPP MP Vijitha Herath:

You have no right to summon the members of the EC to Parliament and question them at a time when an election is in progress. In addition, there are several cases with regard to the election pending before the courts. We are against this PSC. None of us would attend this PSC. We call on the Speaker not to permit for wrong precedents. This would be detrimental to the independence of the NEC.

Gampaha District SLPP MP Nimal Lansza:

We have to appoint the PSC because the EC is not independent. The EC is known as a place where the decisions had been made by only two persons. By their act, our privileges were breached.

Chief Opposition Whip SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella:

What is the meaning of this? The EC members are to be summoned and grilled because they have pushed for holding of elections. You did the same to the judges who gave the ruling to hold the elections. This motion has been brought with the intention of exerting pressure on the judiciary again. This is against the Standing Orders. We oppose this.

Deputy Speaker:

The motion has now been seconded.

Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna:

You are talking about the breach of privileges of MPs for not holding the elections. What about the violation of the rights of 22 million people because of not holding elections?

JVP-led NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake:

We are in the middle of an election process. It is not right to conduct a probe against the EC by Parliament after an election is declared. This is an attempt against the independence of the EC. There are two cases with the regard to this election pending before the Supreme Court. The President has exerted pressure on the EC.

Leader of the House, Minister Susil Premajayantha said the government would not appoint a PSC to influence the judiciary and that the PSC would inspect only matters with regard to the privileges of the MPs, moved that the House be adjourned.

The motion has been signed by SLPP members Lalith Warnakumara, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, D. Weerasinghe, Jagath Samarawickrama, Sudarshana Denipitiya, Milan Jayathilake, Kokila Gunawardena, Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, Sahan Pradeep Vithana, Tissa Kuttiarachchi, Kapila Athukorala, Sudath Manjula, Gamini Lokuge and Sampath Athukorala.