A heated exchange took place in Parliament today on the post of opposition leader.
The joint opposition demanded that it be recognised as the main opposition in Parliament and that the post of opposition leader be given to it.
However Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that he will seek legal advice and speak to the party leaders before taking a final stand this week.
Joint opposition Parliamentarian Dinesh Gunawardena said that the joint opposition has no personal issue with current opposition leader R. Sampanthan.
Gunawardena however said that the post of opposition leader must be given to the joint opposition as it has more members in Parliament.
However the United National Party (UNP) said that the joint opposition is not recognised as a political party in Parliament and so it cannot be given the post.
Earlier, the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) communicated its stand on the leader of the opposition to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.
Jayasuriya had sought the opinion of the General Secretary of the UPFA Mahinda Amaraweera on appointing Parliamentarian Dinesh Gunawardena the leader of the opposition.
The Speaker had requested Amaraweera to state the position of the party since a request had been put forward by several MPs including some from the UPFA.
Amaraweera later communicated the position of the UPFA to the Speaker.
It was reported that the UPFA had said it accepts Sampanthan as the opposition leader.
Courtesy: Colombo Gazette
