No statement from Opposition Leader

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday refrained from making his amended statement in Parliament under Standing Order 23(2), though he was allowed, stating that he had not received the Speaker's decision.

When the Opposition Leader continued to speak of the amendments made to his statement by the General Secretary to the Parliament, without making the statement, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa instructed him to make the statement if he needed to but he could not question the ruling issued by the Speaker. At this stage Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe resumed his seat without making the statement. Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody announced on Wednesday that the Opposition Leader would be allowed to make an amended version of his statement yesterday (Thursday).

When the Opposition Leader was allowed to make the statement yesterday he said, he did not receive the decision by the Speaker. He added that the Speaker said the General Secretary would be given instructions in this regard. The Opposition Leader also said he received the document from the General Secretary to the Parliament under his signature. Certain sentences have been underlined to be removed. "But I have not received the decision legally," the Opposition Leader said.

At this stage Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva stated that the Speaker's ruling is given. The statement has been sent after marking the sections to be removed which we have received."

"We have prepared our answer in line with that amended version of the statement," minister de Silva said. "Nobody can challenge the ruling given by the Speaker." He also said that if the Opposition Leader really needed the answer, he had to make his statement.

Ranil Wickremesinghe: I have not been given the decision legally.

The Speaker stated that everything is done in the usual way.

At this stage UPFA MP A H M Azwar rising to a point of order stated that nobody can challenge the Speaker's ruling.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa stated that the ruling issued by the Speaker cannot be questioned. He also said if the Opposition Leader needed he could make the statement or resume his seat.