brand logo

SLPP ‘independents’ reject SLPP reunion

13 Sep 2022

  • Willing to support progressive prog. via P’ment committee system sans privileges
  • Note eviction from COPE, COPA; in talks with Wimal’s new Alliance
BY Buddhika Samaraweera   The group of Parliamentarians including MPs Dullas Alahapperuma and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris, who recently left the SLPP and since declared themselves as “independent” MPs in the Opposition, stated that even though there is no hope of re-engaging with the SLPP, they are ready to support a progressive programme through the committees operating in the Parliament, without obtaining any privileges. Speaking to The Morning, MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, who is among the said group of MPs, said that although they had informed President Ranil Wickremesinghe that they were ready to support any progressive programme of the current Government through the committees within Parliament following the latter's appointment as the President, all 13 MPs of the group were expelled from committees such as the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA).  “When the President asked us to support the Government, we officially met him and informed him that we were ready to support the Government through committees, but without obtaining any privileges such as vehicles, security personnel, and staff. However, we were all thrown out of the committees of which we were members of at that time. That means that the Government did not want our support,” he said. When queried as to whether they would accept any future invitation to join such committees, Dr. Godahewa said that they would not deny an invitation to support progressive programmes through committees within the Parliament. Noting that such committees are not linked to any political party or group, he said that they would be willing to join them accordingly. However, he emphasised that they would not accept any privileges which are similar to those of a Cabinet Minister that have been tipped by President Wickremesinghe for Chairpersons of such committees. Meanwhile, commenting on their political future, he said that the SLPP does not seem to be moving on a progressive path, and that therefore, they would not rejoin the party. Instead, he said that the group of MPs would continue discussions with all Opposition political parties and groups, including the Supreme Lanka Alliance (SLA) chaired by “independent” MP Wimal Weerawansa, towards a progressive programme.  “We will be discussing with all Opposition parties and groups. Such discussions are also going on with the SLA. We are engaged in such discussions as there are certain junctures where we, the Opposition parties, can work together. However, we are not part of any Alliance. Also, the SLPP does not seem to be going on the right path. It does not work up to what the people expected. There is only a Government made up of MPs who are greedy for positions,” said Dr. Godahewa. A total of 13 MPs including Prof. Peiris crossed over to the Opposition in the Parliament on 31 August. Announcing the decision to sit in the Opposition, Prof. Peiris said that the decision was taken to oppose the actions of the SLPP in violation of the mandate given by 6.9 million people, and to protect the aspirations of the voters of the SLPP, and move forward. In addition to him, the said group of MPs include Alahapperuma, Dr. Godahewa, Dilan Perera, Prof. Charitha Herath, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, K.P.S. Kumarasiri, Dr. Gunapala Rathnasekara, Udayana Kirindigoda, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, Dr. Thilak Rajapakshe, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, and Lalith Ellawala.  


More News..