Dissident SLPP National List MP Prof. Charitha Herath says that a Supreme Court determination in respect of a bill cannot be debated in parliament. Herath told The Island that SC determination on ‘ Gender Equality Bill’ shouldnt have been debated on June 18.

Asked whether he had discussed this issue in parliament, MP Herath said that he raised the issue in terms of 55 (2) B on June 18 after President Ranil Wickremesinghe criticised the SC determination.

The MP said that the Parliament should abide by Standing Orders though it was deprived of the opportunity to discuss SC determination.

The first time entrant to Parliament found fault with President Wickremesinghe for commenting on the SC determination taking cover of House privilege. The MP pointed out that though the President enjoyed constitutional right to participate in proceedings he was not a full member of the parliament.

Pointing out that the President had no right to vote in parliament, MP Herath questioned whether the executive abused parliamentary privileges by taking on the SCX in parliament.

“The President’s participation in the process allowed through the 19th Amendment is important,” MP Herath said, but the parliament shouldn’t allow the President and parliament elected through different electoral processes to be mixed up.

President Wickremesinghe was present in parliament at the time of this criticism. (SF)