Speaker denies claim

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (11) reiterated that he wouldn’t under any circumstances retract criticism of the Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka’ and his condemnation of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena over misleading the House as regards the Supreme Court’s blunt determination on the Bill.

The former Power and Energy Minister said so when The Island sought his response to Speaker Abeywardena’s strong denial of the views expressed by him at a media briefing on Monday (10) at PHU office at Pita Kotte.

Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila is the second member of Uthrara Lanka Sabhagaya (ULS) to allege that the Speaker suppressed SC determination that one third of 134 clauses in the Bill were contrary to the Constitution and needed to be either passed by a 2/3 majority or 2/3 majority plus endorsement at a referendum. Gevindu Cumaratunga

was the first to challenge the Speaker on the vital matter.Colombo District lawmaker Gammanpila said that as one of those who moved the Supreme Court against the relevant Bill he briefed the media six days after the Speaker’s announcement as he felt a deliberate attempt was being made to deceive the House and the public.

Lawmaker Gammanpila urged Speaker Abeywardena and all members of parliament to peruse the 54 page SC determination to know the truth. How could there be as many as 80 amendments in a properly prepared Bill in terms of Constitution, MP Gammanpila asked.

Lawmaker Gammanpila raised two pertinent issues whether a senior parliamentary official deliberately misled Speaker Abeywardena or the Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka’ was formulated outside the Legal Draftsman’s Department.

Speaker Abeywardena’s Office yesterday said that there was absolutely no basis for views expressed by MP Gammanpila. Declaring that the MP’s statement was completely false, the Speaker’s Office in turn alleged that it was meant to mislead the country and the judiciary.

The Speaker’s Office suggested that MP Gammanpila should have perused relevant Hansards and audio and video of the announcement made by Speaker Abeywardena.

The Speaker’s Office alleged that MP Gammanpila misinterpreted the Speaker’s announcement for petty political gain. However, the Speaker’s Office didn’t make reference to MP Cumaratunga’s accusations on similar lines made earlier.

MP Gammanpila questioned the rationale behind assuring the Supreme Court of government’s intention to move amendments at the Committee Stage having prepared a Bill that was largely contrary to the country’s supreme law.