Sampanthan hogs Opposition Leader’s office, residence as Speaker puts off his decision

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday told Parliament that he would give his ruling on the post of Opposition Leader as soon as possible. When the House resumed sittings the Speaker said that MPs Lakshman Kiriella and M.A. Sumanthiran raised the issue of Opposition Leader and that he had promised to give his ruling on Friday.

"But I am not in a position to deliver my ruling today. A group of MPs have submitted a motion asking for the appointment of a parliamentary select committee. In addition, MP Mahinda Amaraweera, too, has submitted a letter. MP Sumanthiran has sent me an additional letter on the same matter, today. I have to study all these and will inform the House of my position as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, TNA leader R Sampanthan remained in the opposition leader office without handing it over to Mahinda Rajapaksa. An opposition MP said that Sampanthan had made a statement that he was still the opposition leader and kept the opposition leader’s office and opposition leader’s residence without giving it to Rajapaksa. That occupation had hindered the functions of the opposition, the MP said.