- MP alleges Speaker blocked privileges matter, violated rights
Opposition Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara has lodged written complaints with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights over Speaker of Parliament Dr Jagath Wickramaratne’s refusal to allow him to raise a privileges matter in Parliament on 10 September.
The privileges matter submitted by Jayasekara concerned alleged corruption and irregularities in the use of State resources and facilities by Speaker Wickramaratne in carrying out his duties as Speaker.
Jayasekara has argued that, at a time when the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is conducting an investigation into alleged corruption and irregularities relating to the use of State resources and facilities by the Speaker, Dr Wickramaratne should not legally or ethically preside over Parliament or the Constitutional Council (CC), or perform the functions of Speaker and Chairman of the CC, in terms of Section 107 of the Anti-Corruption Act and the Code of Ethics for MPs.
However, the Speaker said that he needed time to study the privileges matter and did not allow it to be raised in Parliament.
Jayasekara subsequently attempted to speak on the matter during the Opposition’s allotted speaking time, but the Speaker interrupted him and stopped him from continuing his speech. The MP, however, tabled the privileges matter in Parliament during his speech.
In his complaints to the three international bodies, Jayasekara has alleged that his right to express views under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act was being violated by the Speaker, who is the head of Parliament.
He has also argued that the Speaker’s decision to examine a complaint directly involving himself violates the principles of natural justice relating to impartiality and transparency.
Jayasekara has further alleged that the Speaker’s conduct constitutes a direct violation of parliamentary democracy, Commonwealth parliamentary principles and the privileges of MPs.
He has therefore requested the IPU, CPA and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a fair, independent and transparent inquiry into the matter.