COLOMBO : Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has told former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa that the dissolved parliament will not be reconvened under any circumstances.
Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had, in a letter dated April 29, informed Premadasa of the President’s decision.
The letter further said that it is observed that the opposition parties disregard the need for an election and are engaged in a petty political process at a time when the entire state is focused on the health, social security and welfare of the people.
With all opposition parties accepting the dissolution of the parliament through their statement, the notification of dissolving the parliament is further consolidated, the letter stressed.
Further, the President informs that there has been no situation that needed him to comply with Article 70 (7) of the Constitution.
President Rajapaksa responded to a joint letter sent by the leaders of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, the UNP and the TNA, demanding the immediate reconvening of the parliament.
The statement was signed by former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Leader of United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan, Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance Mano Ganesan, Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress Rishad Bathiudeen, Leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Rauff Hakeem, and member of Jathika Hela Urumaya Patali Champika Ranawaka.
President Rajapaksa dissolved parliament on March 2.
In a separate appeal, former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said In a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, rstressed that as a result of the failure to present the budget, and the sudden emergence of the coronavirus (Covid-19), the country is afflicted with a pandemic in addition to legislative and economic crises.Therefore, he said, parliament should be summoned to resolve these issues.
The heads of churches under the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) have also requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to revoke the order dissolving Parliament and postpone the General Election till September – October and avert the dangers of constitutional crisis that Sri Lankan citizens can ill afford at this time.
Its a good replay to all opposition parties and to Christian Council who political motivated Council..