Speaker says opinion of majority members will be accepted

In Sri Lanka, parliament speaker on Monday came down heavily on the President, saying that he will accept the opinion of the majority of members that the changes done in parliament were unconstitutional and against the norms.

In a statement, Karu Jaysurya said he will not recognize the new government until they show majority in parliament.

It said new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will not be given the Prime Minister seat in Parliament and they will need to sit in the opposition seats.

His statement came after President Maithripala Sirisena called for Parliament session on 14th of this month, against demands to call it this week. Deposed prime minister Ranil Wickremsinghe in a message reiterated his demand to convene Parliament immediately.

He said everyday that convening of Parliament is delayed, is a nail in the coffin of democracy in the country. In another development, two of his MPs were arrested today on charges of violence outside Mr Wickremsinghe’s official residence.

Meanwhile, supporters of new government have organized a huge political rally near Parliament in Colombo where Sirisena and Rajapaksa will participate. MP Prasanna Ranatunga said the whole world will know that the new government has people’s support.