The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has condemned the government's decision to seek legal counsel from the Attorney General regarding a no-confidence motion against Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, describing the move as unprecedented in Sri Lankan legislative history.
Speaking in Colombo, Chief Opposition Whip and SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilleka expressed concern over delays in scheduling a debate on the motion submitted by 44 Opposition lawmakers on 9 October.
The submission was made jointly by parliamentarians representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the New Democratic Front, and several independent groups.
The motion contains severe allegations against Speaker Wickramaratne, citing reported violations of the Constitution, the Anti-Corruption Act, the Offences Against Public Property Act, the Penal Code, the Right to Information Act, the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament, and Parliamentary Standing Orders.
According to Karunathilleka, the Parliamentary Secretary-General Kushani Rohanadheera confirmed that referral to the Attorney General had no historical precedent in Sri Lankan parliamentary procedure.
The Opposition Chief Whip questioned the sudden appearance of alleged technical defects in the motion, noting that Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake had initially signaled readiness to proceed with the debate at the earliest possible date.
Karunathilleka suggested that technical objections only emerged after the Opposition rejected a proposed one-day debate and requested a broader two or three-day proceeding to properly address the charges.
While acknowledging that the ruling party has not explicitly refused to hold a debate, he urged authorities not to use the legal consultation process as a tactic to stall proceedings indefinitely.
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