Prorogation Presidential prerogative

Rajmi Manatunga

The prorogation of Parliament by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with effect from May 5 was a legitimate exercise of the rights vested in the Executive President by the Constitution, Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Addressing the media in Colombo yesterday, the Minister said that United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has no reason to be alarmed by the Proclamation since the power to prorogue Parliament is conferred on the President by the 1978 Constitution, the brainchild of his own uncle.

“The Constitution does not stipulate any pre-condition or event for the exercise of this power of the Executive President. Neither does it require the President to inform the Opposition Leader of such decision to prorogue,” he said, questioning as to why the UNP does not support the abolition of Executive Presidency if it opposes the exercise of its powers.

He further pointed out that it was the UNP which first requested the Government not to hold Parliamentary proceedings after the Emergency debate, since all political parties were engaged in campaigning for the Eastern provincial council elections.

“The commencement of a new Parliamentary session will also provide an opportunity for the President to address the Legislature after the Eastern provincial council poll which is a historic occasion for the country,” he added.