Mr. Johnston Fernando, Member of Parliament of the Podujana Peramuna, has acted as the Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee, which is considered to be the only independent committee of the Parliament.
In this regard, Mr. Chandima Weerakkody, the Member of Parliament of the opposition, has expressed his objection and has also given notice to record it in writing.
Mr. Weerakkody has stated that the speaker’s action is ‘disgusting’.
According to the standing orders, the chairmanship of this committee should be given to an opposition member.
Accordingly, SJB leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa had suggested the name of Dr. Harsha de Silva.
But the government violated the standing orders and proposed and adopted the name of Mr. Mayantha Dissanayake, who was an opposition member, and Mr. Mayantha Dissanayake, who initially accepted the position, later resigned.
Accordingly, the post of Chairman of the Finance Committee remained vacant.
Previousely, on two occasions, Mr. Vajira Abeywardena, a member of the government, was appointed as its acting chairman and the government took steps to pass several money bills amid the opposition’s opposition.
Also, in the finance committee meeting held today, the government had arranged to appoint Mr. Johnston Fernando as its acting chairman, where Mr. Chandima Weerakkodi, on behalf of the opposition, had taken steps to express his strong opposition.
The finance committee has met today at 10 am.