Controversy over the Bar Association summoning the Leader of the Opposition to Parliament

A heated debate has erupted in Parliament regarding a scheduled meeting where a delegation from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is expected to brief Members of Parliament on the 22nd Constitutional Amendment and amendments to the Judicature Act. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa invited all 225 representatives of Parliament to attend this discussion, planned to be held on August 20 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, and stated in Parliament on August 19 that the briefing was being held at his request.

However, Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake pointed out in Parliament that there was a procedural error in organizing the said meeting. The Leader of the House stated that the Opposition Leader has no authority to convene such a meeting and that the decision should be made by party leaders. He also criticized the media for reporting on this meeting.

Responding to that statement, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa mentioned that he had informed Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne about this discussion with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka on July 31 itself. He further stated that he had also requested the Speaker to provide the necessary facilities for all Members of Parliament to attend the meeting.