Speaker of the parliament Karu Jayasuriya has sent a letter addressed to President Maithripala Sirisena on safeguarding the rights and privileges of the members of the parliament.

He has stated that the political parties, United National Party (UNP), Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress –representing over 125 MPs –have requested him to take immediate steps to safeguard their rights and privileges and to establish majority in Parliament.

The Speaker has pointed out that it is his duty and responsibility to listen to these requests.

Speaker Jayasuriya, in his letter, has urged the President to summon Parliament forthwith in the name of democracy, for the wellbeing of public and to ensure justice without allowing the country to be dragged into a crisis.  

Meanwhile, the Office of the Speaker releasing a statement has stated that rumors that the Speaker is withholding the explanation received by him from the Attorney General (AG) regarding the premiership are false.

Statements of certain persons on 29th October, alleging that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has received an explanation from the AG on who would receive the power of acting as the Prime Minister and that the Speaker is not revealing the said explanation to the public, are incorrect, stated Speaker’s Office.

The Office of the Speaker has further affirmed that the Speaker had not received any such explanation thus far.