The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC
Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised a Point of Order concerning the appointment of three civil society members to the Constitutional Council under Article 41A(1)(e)(iii) of the Constitution. He argued that, as the previous members’ terms expired that day, the Speaker had a constitutional duty to announce nominations agreed by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, and requested an explanation and a ruling or statement from the Speaker as soon as possible, preferably the next morning.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Sir, I rise to a Point of Order.
¶ 02 Sir, I have a Point of Order to raise. There is a serious constitutional issue that has arisen. Under Standing Order No. 22, I think the Secretary-General has to take it up and a Ruling should be given as soon as possible by the Hon. Speaker—maybe tomorrow.
¶ 03 Under Standing Order No. 92(2)(a), I would say that Article 41A(1)(e)(iii) of the Constitution places a constitutional duty on the Hon. Speaker to nominate, by agreement of the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, three eminent persons from civil society to the Constitutional Council. The necessity for such nomination has already arisen as the term of the previous civil society members expires today. The announcement should have been made today. Since no announcement has been made, I want an explanation given. It should be taken up by the Hon. Speaker and a statement should be made tomorrow morning. I know, Sir, that you cannot do it. Thank you very much.
Provenance
- Source
- Hansard, Tuesday, 20 January 2026 ·No. 23200 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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/lk/speeches/9109
Cite as: The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 20 January 2026. No. 23200. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/9109