The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, under Standing Order 29(1), I attempted to raise a privilege matter today, but the Hon. Speaker did not allow it. That is entirely wrong; such a situation has never arisen in our parliamentary history. I therefore table the privilege matter I attempted to raise.

¶ 02 Next, I table a copy of the complaint submitted by Deputy Secretary-General Chaminda Kularatne to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against the Speaker.

¶ 03 Regarding preliminary inquiries and payments, a circular dated 24.10.2025 by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government permits Rs. 4,000 for preliminary inquiry reports and Rs. 1,000 for preparation of charges—a total of Rs. 5,000. But under the Speaker’s current procedure, Rs. 274,975 has been paid. I sought to question this. There are numerous alleged offences under Section 111 of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, including misuse of state property and causing loss to the State.

¶ 04 Another matter: unlawful use of two official residences. The Speaker has obtained an apartment at the Loris Road official housing complex under the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and is also using the Speaker’s official residence. There is no entitlement to both, contrary to the Establishments Code and Cabinet decisions recognizing only three State official residences: for the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker. The Speaker’s official residence is part of our institutional inventory and is not subject to rent. It cannot be allocated in anyone’s name. My request—until inquiries into these allegations are concluded—the Speaker should refrain from performing the duties of office, and his Private Secretary too should refrain accordingly.

¶ 05 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]

¶ 06 We cannot continue to work while such matters hang over the Chair. This has never happened before. I urge the President and the Government to inform the Speaker to step aside from duties until these allegations are investigated and concluded. Otherwise, it will be difficult to work with him in the future. Thank you.