Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday told Parliament that he accepted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s invitation not to resign as Deputy Speaker in order to protect the sovereignty of the people as well as Parliamentary democracy.
Making a statement in the Parliament on remaining in the position of the Deputy Speaker, Siyambalapitiya said that he would remain in the position of Deputy Speaker only till the end of April. He added that during this period he would give up enjoying the perks and privileges of Deputy Speaker. He said that had he had to use them he would instruct the Chief Accountant to charge him excess expenditure. He expressed hope that the serious situation would be settled to a certain extent by the end of April.
He said that he earlier decided to tender the letter of resignation to the President on April 5 and to the Speaker to emphasize the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s decision to point out the people’s sufferings and difficulties to the government.
He said further that he took the decision to resign from the Deputy Speaker’s office though he was elected from the majority votes in the Parliament to stand with the SLFP’s decision to be independent in the Government under the current economic crisis in the country.
“As a politician who represented Parliament for 22 consecutive years, my view is that the country is facing a severe socio-political and economic crisis,” Siyambalapitiya said.
He added that the only solution for this situation is to leave aside all differences by all of us and while engaging in discussions with all stakeholders including the scholars and address all the issues on priority basis with short, medium and long term programmes.
Saturday, April 9, 2022 – 01:15