• Speaker tells Opposition earlier debate must be arranged through PM

The Opposition has requested an urgent parliamentary debate on the ongoing rupee depreciation and broader economic concerns, warning that the country is once again facing serious signs of economic hardship.

The request was made during a meeting of several Opposition party leaders in Parliament, chaired by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatilleka told The Sunday Morning that the Opposition had requested the debate due to growing public anxiety regarding the economy and the lack of clarity surrounding the Government’s response to the current currency situation.

“Usually, a party leaders’ meeting is held to discuss the upcoming parliamentary week, but such a meeting was not scheduled this time. We questioned this in Parliament today (22) and requested that an opportunity be provided for a meeting of party leaders. Consequently, a meeting of recognised party leaders was held under the chairmanship of the Speaker,” Karunatilleka said.

“During the meeting, we made a request emphasising that, given the current situation in the country, the public is anxious to understand the vision and the measures being taken, particularly regarding the economy. Although the next parliamentary week is scheduled to begin on 9 June, we requested that a debate be held before then, possibly immediately after the Vesak holiday.”

Karunatilleka said that the Speaker had informed party leaders that Parliament had already been adjourned and that an earlier sitting would have to be convened through the Prime Minister.

“We have formally submitted the request from the Opposition parties to the Speaker to take necessary action. Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala was also present and was tasked with coordinating this matter with the Government,” he added.

He said that while not every Opposition party had been present at the meeting, several Opposition MPs representing different political viewpoints had attended collectively to make the request.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, in a post on X, stated that the rupee was under tremendous pressure at present and claimed there were no clear answers or plans to address the situation.

He further stated that immediate action was needed before the situation worsened and warned that the rapid depreciation of the rupee, rising cost pressures, and growing uncertainty could not be treated as partisan issues.

Premadasa also called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to convene an all-party conference immediately in order to develop urgent national solutions before the situation escalated further.