‘Misinterpretation’ of SC ruling
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila has given notice to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that he intends to raise a privilege issue regarding the conduct of the Speaker and his Media Secretary Indunil Abeywardena pertaining to the Supreme Court determination on the Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka.’
Speaker Abeywardena announced the Supreme Court determination on 04 April. In addition to Gammanpila, MPs Gevindu Cumaratunga and Ven. Atureliye Rathana Thera have alleged that Speaker Abeywardena has misled Parliament as regards the SC determination.
MP Gammanpila told The Island that Speaker Abeywardena had conveniently refrained from informing Parliament that the SC had rejected 1/3 of the clauses in the Bill, declaring those should be approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament or required a two-thirds majority in Parliament and people’s endorsement at a referendum. What the Speaker said was totally contrary to what was stated on page 54 of the SC determination.
In a letter dated April 17 addressed to Speaker Abeywardena, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila requested an opportunity for him to raise a privilege issue when Parliament meets on 25 April after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday.
MP Gammanpila said that he had raised this issue as one of the seven petitioners who moved the Supreme Court against the Bill. Those who opposed it in the SC had been branded as saboteurs, the former Power and Energy Minister said.
The Speaker had failed take note of the fact that the Attorney General had made a staggering 80 amendments to the proposed Bill, Gammanpila said.Declaring that the Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka’ was the worst Bill prepared in respect of the Central Bank and such a flawed document had been submitted to parliament for approval, MP Gammanpila said.
The rebel SLPP MP said that the Speaker’s declaration had brought the SC into disrepute and humiliated the lawyers who represented the petitioners.
MP Gammanpila said as he had not been able to contact Speaker Abeywardena and therefore informed the latter’s son, Chameera Abeywardena, Coordinating Secretary to the Speaker. MP Gammanpila said that however, Indunil Abeywardena, in his capacity as the Media Secretary of the Speaker had issued a statement condemning him over his 04 April media briefing.