TNA MPs fate to be decided on Friday

Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Parliament will take a final decision on Friday, June 12 whether the Parliamentary membership of four TNA MPs who have misused their Parliamentary privileges by engaging in various anti-constitutional acts in foreign countries will be annulled or not.

Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara announced the seats of four TNA MPs namely Selvam Adaikalanathan (Vanni District), Selvarajah Kajendran (Jaffna District), S. Jeyanandamoorthy (Batticaloa District) and P. Sithamparanathan (Jaffna District) will be annulled following the decision reached upon by the House on Friday.

The Chief Government Whip Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena focused the attention of the House this motion cannot be granted permission as there is reliable information that the TNA MPs had used their Parliamentary privileges to act against the very same Constitution that they took oaths to protect and safeguard.

The statement made by the Minister prompted as all the Government MPs to oppose the granting of further leave for these MPs stating that they have misused their leave to conduct anti-national campaigns in various foreign countries.

The Minister said “I have brought this matter to the attention of this House several times. I made a statement in this House on March 19 this year as well and stated that we should consider whether it would be suitable to grant leave to these TNA Parliamentarians. These TNA MPs travel around the world staging various protests and working against the interests of Sri Lanka.

NFF Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa said the House should not approve the granting of further leave to these TNA MPs who have misused the DPL passport given to them to act against the country’s constitution. If we approve their leave, it is similar to us approving their acts.

Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara said at present these motions seeking leave are before the House. Therefore, it is entirely upto the House to take a decision regarding this issue. If the House decides not to grant leave, that will be the final decision on this issue. Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said an inquiry should be conducted on these TNA MPs to find out what they have done during their leave period.

“If the House demands an inquiry, it will be conducted and its outcome inform to the House,” the Speaker added.