The opposition claims that the decision by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to prorogue parliament, is a shrewd move by the government to appoint allies of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Alliance, as members of Select Committees, by replacing current members.
Speaking to media in Colombo today, Parliamentarian SM Marikkar said he suspects that Parliament was prorogued during an economic crisis, since the government is attempting to remove Parliamentarians Charitha Herath, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Tissa Vitharana from their posts.
The MP accused the government of siding with businessmen and looking to appoint MPs who will obey illegitimate orders of government leaders, to replace positions within the Committee on Public Enterprises and the Committee on Public Accounts.
The Parliamentarian also predicted that Sri Lanka would have to face many difficulties during the coming weeks, since foreign reserves are continuously depleting.
He stressed that the country has to meet foreign debt commitments with the remaining US$ 1.2 billion left in the reserves.
MP Marikkar noted that only a limited number of dollars will be left after meeting the monthly medicine, food and fuel expenses of US$ 700 million.
He predicted a food shortage in Sri Lanka in the coming days.
