Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1.30 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made a special statement on the issue pertaining to the appointment of the Chief Justice. Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva requested a Party Leader's meeting soon after the statement and the House was suspended by the Speaker at 2.15 pm to convene a Party Leader's Meeting.
The House resumed at 3.00 pm.
Dinesh Gunawardena: We want a clarification on the debate we requested, on the statement made by the Prime Minister on the Chief Justice. When we were in the government, we always gave time for the Opposition Leader to speak. Do not try to suppress us.
Wimal Weerawansa: We cannot agree to a long date to debate this issue. Removing judges forcefully, has now become a trend. Let us have an opportunity to speak on this matter.
Leader of the House and Plantation Industries Minister Lakshman Kiriella: We will definitely give a date for the debate but it will not be today. No statement made has been debated on the same day in the history of Parliament.
Chief Opposition Whip W.D.J. Seneviratne: The removal of Mohan Peiris is a hot topic today. Let us debate this matter and then the Speaker can adjourn it to a future date.
Joseph Michael Perera: We have an agenda today. The Bill on the agenda is important. It affects the entire country. We cannot postpone it.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa (in Chair): The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Bill is important.
Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva: If what the government wants is to pass this Bill, then the Opposition is ready to give its support to pass it immediately. It is that only the opinion expressed by the Prime Minister will be reported tomorrow. That is why we as well, need an opportunity to express our opinion on the matter. I ask Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to be flexible on this matter.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe: We also want to take up the matter for a debate soon but the problem is that roads leading to Parliament will be closed from today, for rehearsals of the Independence Day celebrations. The earliest date we can give is February 5. There is one more thing that should be stated. It is not the SLFPers who shout today in Parliament but the others. Opposition Leader Siripala De Silva earlier agreed to a future date. Those 'shouting outsiders' in the Opposition, are responsible for the plight of the SLFP today. The Independence Day ceremony is an important event in the country. Does the Opposition want to stop it?
Tissa Vitarana: The removal of the Chief Justice is not a minor matter. It affects the future of the judiciary and the democracy of the country. I wish to ask if this is good governance.
Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella: Our President is the Chairman of the SLFP. This is a new political culture, let us work in unison.
Chief Opposition Whip John Seneviratne: We need to express our opinion on the Prime Minister's statement. Presentation of one-sided facts is not fair. That is why we are requesting an opportunity at least for one Speaker from our side.
Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva: As the name of our Party's Chairman was mentioned, I want to mention that the President had advised us to point out the shortcomings in the 100-day programme.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe: What is the urgency? Let us debate on a future date, peacefully.
Susil Premajayantha: We have the right to speak on this matter as there were arguments on the procedure followed in removing the ex-Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike.
Ranil Wickremesinghe: I said there was no fault in Parliament. The fault was with the Presidential Secretariat.
Let us take up the debate at 6.30 pm on February 5. It is impossible to take it up earlier. We have agreed to today's agenda.
Wimal Weerawansa: Let us debate on the statement of the Prime Minister. Why did the government request the Chief Justice to resign if he was not duly appointed? The government wanted the Chief Justice to resign and threatened him to do so.
Dinesh Gunawardena: I state with responsibility that Mohan Peiris did not consent to resign at anytime. Mohan Peiris was forced many times to resign.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe: At no time did I ask Mohan Peiris to resign. Actually he was the one who spoke to me.
Vasudeva Nanayakkara: The Prime Minister questioned the procedure of the House at the impeachment of former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike. Therefore, this is a matter related to business of Parliament. The supremacy of Parliament has been challenged. This debate is an urgent matter.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa (in Chair): There should be a motion when requesting a debate. The time allocated for today's business is getting restrained.
Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella: I present item number one on the agenda for debate.
Dinesh Gunawardena: I disagree. Ask the House.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa (in Chair): I suspend the House for 10 minutes to discuss this matter.
The House resumed at 4.15 pm.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa (in Chair):
I adjourn the House to a further date.
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