The Hon. Ajith P. Perera

¶ 01 Sir, I rise to a point of Order.

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, before 9.15 a.m. today I submitted a Privilege Question regarding the unfair composition of Committee representation in Parliament. Several other Members and party leaders have also submitted Privilege Questions. This is important and should be resolved quickly. Many Committees are scheduled today. It is wrong to proceed without our participation. As Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka said, I myself proposed Hon. Sunil Handunnetti three times for Chair of COPE. We have a history of accommodating the Opposition, e.g., four out of six JVP MPs in COPE. Therefore, please take up our Privilege Questions today; they were submitted on time.

¶ 03 Sir, I rise to a point of Order. Do not refuse to take our Privilege Questions. Our issue is that you are not allowing us to present our Privilege Questions.

¶ 04 Please allow us to raise our Privilege Questions. There are five. Under Standing Order 29(2), Privilege Questions should be given priority during the day when submitted in time. If you do not know, please consult the Secretary-General. Once you allow them under Standing Order 29(2), then you may decide whether it is a Privilege matter and whether to refer it to a Committee. But you cannot say it is not a Privilege matter at the threshold.

¶ 05 Sir, I rise to a point of Order. From 2010 to 2015, the Committee on Parliamentary Business had 24 members: 13 Government, 11 Opposition, a gap of 2 under Mahinda Rajapaksa. In 2015, it was 8 Government to 7 Opposition. Later sessions 15 to 9, etc. In 2020, it was 12 Government to 7 Opposition out of 19. Subsequently 13:8, 16:10, and now 9:4. What is being said otherwise is incorrect. We must work cooperatively, not with bluster.