Officials bound by law to appear in Parliament

The Office of the Speaker of House Karu Jayasuriya says all officials are bound by the law to appear before Parliament when summoned.

Issuing a statement the Office of the Speaker said officials have a clear understanding of the possible repercussions of failing to adhere to the request.

The statement was issued as an explanation on statements made by several individuals including President Maithripala Sirisena on the activities of the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday attacks.

The Office of the Speaker responded to an accusation levelled by the President claiming Speaker Jayasuriya failed to present a communiqué issued by him on the Parliamentary Select Committee, before Parliament.

The statement noted a letter including guidelines to be followed during the Select Committee meetings was forwarded by the Attorney General to Speaker Jayasuriya last week through the Secretary to the President adding the President was referring to the same.

Accordingly the Office noted letters forwarded by the Head of State are presented before Parliament based on its relevance adding therefore that there is no requirement for a letter on the activities of a Select Committee to be presented in Parliament.

The statement claimed the Speaker of House is not authorised to end the sessions of any Select Committee that was established under a common agreement based on Standing Orders adding the final authority to conclude such sessions are vested with Parliament.

Therefore the Speakers Office notes the Select Committee is authorised to decide on whether its sessions will be opened to media.

The Speaker is new while expected to take the matter up for discussion with party leaders following which it will be brought before the attention of Parliament.

The statement issued by the Office of the Speaker said while Parliament will never challenge the authority of the President the statement was issued as an attempt to prevent misunderstanding among the public through criticism levelled against the Select Committee.