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Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today defended the decision to name United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa as leader of the opposition.
In a statement in Parliament, the Speaker said that Rajapaksa’s appointment to the post was legitimate.
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan had written to the Speaker challenging Rajapaksa’s appointment to the post.
Sampanthan also raised the matter in Parliament today.
His main objection was linked to Rajapaksa belonging to a party led by the President who is the head of Government.
Sampanthan said that a member of a party led by the President cannot be the leader of the opposition.
Courtesy: Colombo Gazette
