The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, we have to commence the main business at 11.30 a.m. There are several other Privilege Questions. You are responsible to manage time. As I understand, the Hon. Member has submitted his matter in writing. If he does not read it and uses the occasion for other matters, we request you to manage time.

¶ 02 Also, his complaint about being prevented from speaking is an issue for the Opposition. That too must be raised. Because that was also one of the reasons that influenced his appointment to this position; not the traffic violation alone. Therefore, that issue is also affecting Parliament.

¶ 03 Hon. Speaker, regarding the Committees, we are acting according to the Standing Orders and traditions. The Opposition’s membership in every Committee has been increased. Even in the Committee on Parliamentary Business, the Opposition’s membership has been increased. Before you even asked, we announced that the Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts would be given to the Opposition. We challenge anyone in the Opposition to name a Committee where the Opposition’s membership has been reduced or not increased. In every Committee, the Opposition’s membership has been increased.

¶ 04 In 2015, when our party had six MPs, we had four in COPE. But at that time the Opposition comprised the TNA with 16 MPs and the JVP with six MPs, about 22 to 30 MPs in total. Accordingly, positions in Committees were allocated. Now some of your members have already been appointed to certain Committees; for example, the Hon. Harsha de Silva is Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, and your members have been appointed as members. Some remain to be appointed. We cannot change the composition of the Committee on Parliamentary Business to resolve your internal party issues. If the President gives instructions, we are ready to act accordingly. Parliament must function according to democratic norms and Standing Orders; do not misuse claims to mislead the public.

¶ 05 Hon. Speaker, as Government parties coalesced, all constituent groups came to the Parliamentary Business Committee, which is why its size increased in earlier times. That should not burden Parliament with our internal party issues. We even increased one seat to accommodate a principal Muslim leader from the Opposition in the Committee, without naming anyone. Do not use this to waste the time of Parliament. We have acted clearly and democratically, in accordance with Standing Orders and traditions.