Party leaders congratulate new Speaker

Sandasen MARASINGHE

United National Party leader and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulating the election of Chamal Rajapaksa as the Speaker observed that the Opposition and the Government could jointly elect a Speaker without any delay. Recalling the election of the Speaker of the last Parliament he said that the election went on even after dinner time.

Wickremesinghe further said that Chamal Rajapaksa was known to him since 1989 and they were good friends despite the policy differences. Although Rajapaksa is an SLFPer and one of the ruling party members he is responsible for safeguarding the rights of the entire Parliament.

He also took the opportunity to congratulate the newly appointed Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne and the former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka for the support he extended as Prime Minister.

Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sampanthan stated that he would corporate with the newly elected Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa with his duties.

He further said they welcome the new peace that has dawn in the country. "But we should not think that the long lasting peace has come to this country" Sampanthan said. He said nobody endorses war as all suffered from the war.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader congratulating the new Speaker stated that Rajapaksa hailed from a glorious tradition and was a distinguished politician for nearly 20 years.

He said he hoped the term of the present Speaker will go down in history as one that fulfilled the dreams of the people of the country.

EPDP leader Douglas Devananda congratulated the Speaker on behalf of his party and the people who voted for him.

JHU Parliamentary group leader Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said although their party contested on the last occasion under its own party this time it contested under the UPFA banner. He said that their party would work with the Government while maintaining their own policy.

National Worker's Congress Nuwara Eliya parliamentarian V. Sidambaram congratulating the Speaker said he was not given a seat from the Ntional List as promised by the UNP and stated that he would support the Government.

Rishad Baduideen and A. L. M. Athaulla also congratulated the election of Chamal Rajapaksa as Speaker.