Parliament dissolution this week?

Ranil Wickremasinghe

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that Parliament would be dissolved straightaway if the government failed to defeat the no-confidence motion against Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga.

He made this remark while addressing the Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP) held at the party headquarters, Sirikotha.

The Prime Minister has also decided to hold the debate on the no-faith motion against the Minister within this week. Accordingly, he is to request the Speaker today to fix a date for the debate within this week, government sources said.

The sources also said that Mr. Wickremesinghe would request Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to allocate any number of days requested by the opposition for the debate.

The no-confidence motion signed by 114 MPs mainly from the SLFP was handed over to Secretary General of the Parliament on Friday. It is said to have contained allegations of obstructing the duties of Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and matters relating to the alleged assaults on the supporters of the SLFP and political vengeance by ruling party supporters.

Earlier the government had announced that Parliament would be dissolved after offering maximum possible relief to the people and strengthening the democratic institutions that is essential for good governance under the 100- day programme of the new government of President Maithripala Sirisena.

However, UNP sources said the next Parliamentary election would be held on April 4 if Parliament is dissolved this week.

(Daily Mirror)