The main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), stated that it is still discussing the matter of bringing a no-confidence motion (NCM) against the Speaker of the Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

Several SJB representatives recently noted they had lost confidence in the Speaker, and would consider bringing an NCM against him.

When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether they would present the NCM any time soon, SJB General Secretary and Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara said: “We are still discussing this matter. As soon as we reach a final decision, we will let the public know.”

Madduma Bandara, Chief Opposition Whip and MP Gayantha Karunathilleka, and several others warned recently that an NCM would be brought against the Speaker as he had failed to safeguard the democratic rights of the opposition. The dispute arose after Dr. Wickramaratne announced his decision regarding the NCM submitted by the Opposition against Deputy Defence Minister, Retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara.

Early last month, the Speaker ruled that the motion could not be accepted in its current form, citing advice from the Attorney General’s (AG) Department and the Parliamentary Secretariat.