COLOMBO (NewsRadio); Leaders of the political parties affiliated with the government have requested the Speaker of House to discharge his duties in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament, following a request made by a group of opposition to release the funds allocated through the 2023 Budget to conduct the Local Authorities Election.
A meeting was held between the Speaker of the House, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, several Ministers and Members of Parliament affiliated to the government.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Gunawardena has informed the Speaker to act in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament.
The development comes after a group of opposition MPs met with the Speaker on Tuesday to discuss the postponement of the Local Authorities Election.
The opposition MPs had requested that a proposal be tabled before Parliament to ensure the finances allocated for the Election Commission be released, and that the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance be summoned to Parliament.
A statement issued by the Office of the Chief Government Whip of Parliament meanwhile states, the Speaker had indicated to the opposition that he does not have the authority to summon the Secretary to the Treasury and that decision on presenting proposals to allocate funds should be taken following discussion with party leaders.
According to the statement, the Speaker has also stressed that the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary are three institutions that are not subordinate to each other and the respective powers cannot be undermined.
