The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 First, who decides who is Government or Opposition is determined by law and the Elections Commission — not by ad hoc claims. According to the Commission, all Members on that side (except the NPP’s Government benches seated at the back due to limited space) are Opposition. Do not misrepresent.

¶ 02 Second, on committee composition: seats are allocated proportionally to the people’s mandate — about 71 percent Government (NPP) and 29 percent Opposition. Still, to enhance inclusivity, we increased Opposition membership in the Parliamentary Business Committee from two to four — adding two more beyond the Opposition Leader and Chief Opposition Whip — at the Government’s consent. We also ensured the COPA chair for the Opposition and, as per Standing Orders, the Public Finance Committee is chaired by the Opposition.

¶ 03 However, when given two extra seats on the Business Committee, whom did the Opposition appoint? Not senior leaders like Rauff Hakeem, A. Aravindh Kumar (Amirthanathan), or G. G. Ponnambalam, but their own party’s Ranjith Madduma Bandara. They must practice what they preach about democracy.

¶ 04 On external parliamentary associations’ AGMs yesterday: - CPA: Govt 23 seats filled; Opposition has 9 — only about 5–6 named; three “Yet to be nominated.” - IPU: Govt 23 filled; Opposition has 9 — seven named; two “Yet to be nominated.” - SAARC Parliamentarians’ Association: Govt 23 filled; Opposition has 9 — five named; four “Yet to be nominated.” The Secretary-Generals were present; these are from official lists. The Speaker can appoint up to 15 across these; he has already appointed some, including G. G. Ponnambalam and Ramanathan Archchuna, to certain bodies. The Opposition Chief Whip’s Office has not completed nominations; they must consult all Opposition parties and fill the seats.

¶ 05 We are open to further increasing committee sizes if the President agrees; there is no extra cost.