GL sees govt. bid to wrest control of watchdog committees

Prof. G.L. Peiris, MP, yesterday (30), said that the prorogation of Parliament was primarily meant to disrupt three finance watchdog committees.

Addressing the media at the Nawala Office of Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa, the former External Affairs Minister explained how the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government exploited Constitutional provisions to its advantage.

Declaring that nothing could be achieved by prorogating Parliament – a second time in seven months – Prof. Peiris alleged that the government was planning to replace Samagi Jana Balawegaya MPs, Prof. Harsha de Silva and Kabir Hashim, Chairpersons, Committee on Public Finance, and Committee on Public Accounts, respectively.

Pointing out that as many as 40 committees would be dissolved as a result of prorogation of Parliament, the academic alleged that the government pursued strategies at the expense of taxpayers’ money.

The group consisting of some rebel MPs, elected on the SLPP ticket, has aligned with other dissidents to contest the forthcoming Local Government polls under the symbol of the ‘Helicopter.’

Prof. Peiris questioned President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent declaration that he would fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution against the backdrop of all Provincial Councils being allowed to lapse.

The former minister challenged the government to conduct PC polls before a meaningless announcement was made. The SLPP National List MP accused the government of trying to divert public attention from the developing crisis.

Prof. Peiris lambasted the government over what he called unrealistic attempts to put off Local Government polls, claiming lack of funds and alleged threats directed at members of the Election Commission (