The main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) stated that it is currently studying the possibility of bringing a no-confidence motion (NCM) against the Speaker of the Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, with a final decision expected by the next Parliamentary week.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said: “We are currently studying the loss of confidence in the Speaker. Several of our Parliamentarians raised in the Parliament that we should consider bringing an NCM against him. We will make a final decision by the next Parliamentary week.”

SJB General Secretary and Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara warned last week that an NCM would be brought against the Speaker if he 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 the Deputy Defence Minister, (retired) Major General Aruna Jayasekera. On 10 September, 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.

The Opposition has since demanded that the reports submitted by the AG’s Department and the Parliamentary Secretariat be tabled in the Parliament, but the Speaker has not given any indication that he intends to do so.