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It is the responsibility of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to propose and forward a suitable person for the post of Parliament Secretary General which has been vacant for nearly one month, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Prof G.L Pieris said yesterday.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing the Minister pointed out that the authorities are violating the Constitution by refraining from appointing a Secretary General to Parliament.

"It is stated under the Article 41c of the Constitution that the President has to propose and forward a name of a person suitable for the post to the Constitutional Council if there is such a vacancy. Then only can the Council appoint a Secretary General to Parliament," he said adding that the House is functioning without a Secretary General which will lead to 'serious consequences'. Dhammika Kitulgoda, the former Secretary General, resigned in July. The President then appointed an acting Secretary General - Priyani Wijesekara - for 14 days.

Prof Pieris said that the Government was concerned about this situation as it is dangerous to let the House go on without a Secretary General.

Today if a MP dies vacating his seat in Parliament, there is no lawful way to fill the vacancy because only the Secretary General is mandated to inform it to the Elections Commissioner officially.

It is only after that the Commission is empowered to appoint a new person.

The Secretary General also forwards public petitions to the Speaker.

Therefore it is not only a violation of the Constitution but also a violation of the people's democratic rights, the Minister said assuring that the Government will take swift measures to solve the problem.

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