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Secret conclave in President's room

By our Parliament Correspondent

Parliament was thrown into further flurry yesterday after it was brought to the notice of the Speaker that the official sanctum of the President in the Parliament complex had been invaded by a group of PA MPs led by Chief Opposition Whip Mangala Samaraweera.

The President's room in Parliament had been used for a secret conclave and you sir as the custodian of Parliament should inquire into this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister A. H. M. Azwer said rising to a point of order.

The Minister referred to Standing Order 137 where the Speaker is entrusted with the Management of the building, security arrangements and the general administration of the Chamber. have the MPs obtained the speaker's permission for this secret meeting in the President's room in her absence. What of the security implications ?

Among those who were at the meeting were Anuruddha Ratwatte and Wimal Weerawansa, Azwer revealed.

He said he too as Minister of parliamentary affairs was concerned " after all she is our President as well."

"Sir have you given them permission to open the door to this room and have a secret meeting in the absence of the President?"

Chief Opposition whip Mangala Samaraweera in response said that the meeting did not come within the ambit of Standing Order 137 since as Chief Opposition whip he had obtained the permission of the President to enter the room.

Speaker Joseph Michael Perera told the House that he was not informed of this meeting in the President's room (in her absence) and he would need to study the position before deciding on a stand.

"He said as the custodian of security matters in the Parliament building the President's security too has to be taken into account including the kind of persons who gain access to this room and what goes on inside."

"I shall go into the standing orders thoroughly before deciding on a course of action," the Speaker said.

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