The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I did not intend to make a statement, but I felt I should clarify something. On the day the Leader of the Opposition could not attend the Staff Advisory Committee, he sent his representative. I was asked to attend that day. After this controversial meeting, we saw the media reporting this in various ways. Many media reported correctly that the Chief Organizer of the Opposition, representing the Opposition, stated that the Deputy Secretary-General should be given an opportunity, and that the Minister of Finance also held that view. However, when the Government clarified matters, some media attempted to portray that it was a decision of a committee including the Opposition and that the Opposition had not expressed any view. Mr. Speaker, you will recall well that on two or three occasions I said he should be given an opportunity. I also pointed out to you that since the chart noted there was a personal animosity of the Speaker which had caused this situation, it would be better to give him an opportunity. Likewise, Hon. Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara also raised this. I too said: is it appropriate to proceed on a unilateral decision using a retired Additional Secretary? Therefore, give him an opportunity. I say clearly that the Opposition expressed its view that he should be given an opportunity.

¶ 02 Since I will not get time if I rise again, I wish also to say this. The Southern Province is one of the most important provinces—Galle, Matara, Hambantota are represented. There has been a vacancy in the post of Governor of our Province for nearly three months now.