Opposition Leader's post on a debate

Opposition Leader's post on a debate

9.45 a.m.

The Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced when parliament assembled this morning that member of parliament,  Mr. Sambandan of the Tamil National Alliance has been selected as the Opposition Leader. The fact that Sambandan was to contest on this occasion with Welgama, and the

latter happens to be a member of the SLFP whereas Sambandan represents the Opposition with a majority of 16 Seats of the Tamil National Alliance which then became the reason why Welgama was not eligible to acquire this position.

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Decision whether Opposition Leader is Welgama or Sambandan ... today

The Speaker is expected to announce today (3) to parliament as to whom the position of Opposition Leader would be bestowed upon in the new parliament. It is reported that either Kumara Welgama of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party or R. Sambandan of the Tamil National Alliance would get this post.

This position as the Opposition Leader for which is afforded privileges and facilities of a Minister marks the important journey of the parliament. While both parties are suspended on hopes till this morning and when considering the legal aspect in this connection, there is a possibility that Welgama would have to forego this appointment. The reason for it is that he is a member of the SLFP and that in order to establish a government combined with the SLFP and UNP a covenant has already been arrived at in that respect. Therefore, an Opposition Leader emerging as a participant from the same Party of the government is something disagreeable. The JVP as well as the Tamil Alliance has brought this up and what they say is that no room should be left for Welgama to be appointed for the post of Opposition Leader. 

Though 55 members of the UPFA have already suggested that United People's Freedom Alliance MP Mr. Kumara Welgama be appointed for the position of Opposition Leader and had handed over a letter to the President Maithripala Sirisena with their signatures, that letter being handed over to the President it becomes futile because he will not be responsible for a decision on that matter. Since no response to the said communication was received, a copy of the letter was referred to the Speaker, it is reported. 

Since 4 Parties out of the 6 Parties who were chosen and appointed to parliament from the General Election this time and are affiliated to the National Government, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna states that it is the Tamil National Alliance that is acceptable as the Opposition and that those Parties are equipped with 16 and 06 MPs respectively. Therefore it is the standpoint of the JVP that under such conditions the post of Opposition Leader does not belong to the UPFA. 

The Speaker Mr. Karu Jayasuriya would be announcing as to whom the post of Opposition Leader would be bestowed upon and if before that occasion the group of members of the United People's Freedom Alliance who hope to remain in the Opposition are to leave their positions from the Alliance and take action to operate as an independent group of the Opposition and would notify the Speaker about such a decision, it would then be possible for Mr. Welgama to acquire the position of the Opposition Leader, it was reported. If such a move is not launched, parliament sources say that in that instance there is a great possibility that the leader of the Tamil National Alliance Mr. R. Sambandan would be elected as the Opposition Leader.