"Whatever Speaker says ... we will allow Prime Minister's chair to Mahinda -- parliament sergeant-at-alms

"Whatever Speaker says ... we will allow Prime Minister's chair to Mahinda -- parliament sergeant-at-alms

Chief Sergeant-at-alms of parliament, Mr. Narendra Fernando has made a statement to 'Mawbima' newspaper that he inclusive of other officers of parliament work according to the gazette announcement issued by the President.

Accordingly he stated that new seating accommodation would be provided to new Prime Minister, the cabinet and MPs of the government during the forthcoming few days. On a query posed by us with regard to the present atmosphere, he said that as civil servants, the Speaker has informed that it is not

necessary to seek his advice on this occasion. As such, as soon as the new cabinet is sworn-in, the seats allocated for them would be arranged, he mentioned further.

Speaker Mr. Karu Jayasuriya by issuing an announcement said that it is in his view that the request made by 116 MPs to summon parliament as soon as possible and get its consent, is justified. He had in the process said that since it is the opinion of the majority that all changes effected in parliament is against the constitution and against parliamentary tradition, majority of parliament has requested to accept the previous procedures adopted in their case and for the new faction until the latter party show their majority ... in which instance I have to follow the previous pattern that existed earlier, he had emphasised.