UNP MP Writes To Speaker Urging Him To Take Action Against Communique Issued By Foreign Ministry Secretary During Political Crisis

UNP MP, Mujibur Rahuman, has written to the Speaker of Parliament urging him to take action against a communique issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to Rahuman, on the 10th of Novemeber, a fax was sent to all Mission Heads from the then Minister (signed by the Secretary Ravinath Ariyasinha) informing them of the dissolution of Parliament. The purported Minister stated that "the reason for the President's decision was the state of uncertainty that prevailed regarding the anticipated behaviour of the Speaker of Parliament." 

The MP accused the statement of being defamatory to the Speaker and has tarnished the dignity of the Office of the Speaker of Parliament. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was taken over by Sarath Amunugama following the illegal removal of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 26 last year. 

The dissolution of Parliament was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court following petitions filed by political parties and civil society groups.

Furthermire, on November 14 Parliament ruled that the removal of Wickremesinghe was unconstitutional. He was subsequently re-appointed as PM on December 16.