Opposition seeks postponement of debate on 20A

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella has requested the Speaker of Parliament to postpone the debate on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution which is scheduled to take place this week. 

In a letter addressed to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, the Chief Opposition Whip claimed that Covid-19 infected persons have been reported from nearly every district in the country and that negligence on the part of the government has led to it becoming a pandemic.

He charged that on several occasions since April 22, the government had declared that the Covid-19 threat has ended, however this has not happened.

MP Lakshman Kiriella also alleged that the government has been late in introducing laws and regulations to help control the novel coronavirus pandemic, by around 10 months. He said that other countries in the world had presented these regulations by May.

The Chief Opposition Whip stated that albeit somewhat delayed several regulations have been gazetted and if they are to be followed gatherings cannot be held and social distancing must be maintained.

Therefore, he alleged that the seating of Member of Parliament in the chamber contradicts the very same regulations introduced by the government while the continuing of parliamentary sittings also violate the regulations at a time when gatherings have been limited.

If the place that brings about legislations violates those laws, what is the example given to the country, he questioned. 

Therefore, the Chief Opposition Whip in his letter requested the Speaker to take necessary steps to postpone the debate on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution slated for this week.

He also requested to provide an opportunity to discuss this matter by convening parliament this week under the new regulations introduced by the government.