Opposition MPs signed a no-confidence motion against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne on Thursday, hours after a civil society organisation publicly questioned whether he has the moral standing to endorse the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill that Parliament was due to pass the same day.
The signing took place at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Parliament, led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, with a number of opposition MPs taking part, Hiru News reported.
The challenge to the endorsement
Separately, the organisation “Dinana Dakuna” questioned whether the Speaker has the moral right to endorse the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill while the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is investigating corruption allegations involving him, the Daily Mirror reported.
The organisation was careful to separate the legal question from the ethical one:
“There is no legal impediment preventing the Speaker from endorsing the Bill. However, the issue is whether he has the moral right to do so under the circumstances.”
The ongoing investigation, it said, raises questions about the appropriateness of the Speaker playing a role in endorsing legislation aimed at strengthening the country’s anti-corruption framework.
Under Sri Lankan practice the Speaker certifies a Bill after Parliament passes it — a step that is formal rather than discretionary, which is the point the organisation’s own statement concedes.
How the motion got here
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentary group decided on 5 October to hand the motion to the Secretary General on Friday, 9 October, MP Ajith P. Perera told reporters, saying there are 49 allegations against the Speaker, the Daily Mirror reported at the time. Signing was to begin the following day. Thursday’s session at the Opposition Leader’s Office is that signing.
Not reported
No filing available to this desk lists the 49 allegations, states how many MPs signed on Thursday, or says whether the motion has reached the threshold needed to be placed on the order paper. Hiru does not name the signatories or say whether parties outside the SJB joined.
Neither outlet reports any response from the Speaker, his office, or the government, and none states the current status of the CIABOC investigation — whether it has produced findings, or whether the Speaker has been questioned. It is also not reported whether the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill was in fact passed on Thursday, or whether the Speaker endorsed it.
Sources: Daily Mirror — Speaker’s moral rights questioned, Hiru News — no-confidence motion signed, Daily Mirror — motion to be handed over on Friday.
