By Usman Khan

Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister who has been the stock of criticism and derision for the way he was catapulted to power by President and secured his power on Tuesday, when the government-side two votes. The nominee of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) won the secret ballot for the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

Some opposition MPs say to suspend the Parliament Standing Orders to take up the debate on the motion expressing displeasure against President as a matter of urgency, was defeated. The results showed that the government, backed by the ruling SLPP, is still in intact and enjoying majority support in parliament.

The nominee of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna obtained 109 votes, a majority of 31 votes as opposed to 78 obtained by the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s nominee.

The ruling party MPs, ex-prime minster and his son were absent during the vote for the Deputy Speaker, while at least two MPs whose arrest has been advised by the Attorney General were present in the House.

The move to suspend Parliament Standing Orders to take up the debate on the motion expressing displeasure against President as a matter of urgency was beaten by a majority vote of 51 votes. A total of 119 lawmakers had voted against the motion while 68 voted in favor. The motion showed the anger against the President will not be taken up for debate in the House as a “matter of urgency”.

Sri Lanka’s main opposition SJB on Monday decided to support the new government under the new Prime Minister for the sake of the country’s economic recovery, the party said. However, if the government tries to accommodate turncoats from the SJB or attach them to any policies against the SJB’s principles, the favor will be withdrawn the party said.

The SJB said in a declaration that as a responsible political party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya desires to safeguard and steer out the country from the current economic crisis. It is evident that without taking any portfolio for the betterment of the country, SJB in its parliamentary group discussion decided to fully support the current government in its efforts on “economic recovery”.

However, SJB MPs have written to the Prime Minister requesting answers to several questions before deciding on helping the new Government. Some of the important questions are that, what would the time period for President exit.

Furthermore, what legal action is planned to be taken against those who attacked peaceful “Go protesters” and against those who conspired to stage the August 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in which 270 people died.

The new Prime Minister requested MPs to make a new Code of Conduct and a Parliamentary Standards Act in a bid to end the confrontational culture of Parliament. He referred the bid by protesters to prevent MPs from entering or leaving parliament as part of the “Go Home” agitation.

In the meantime, Attorney General’s Department directed the CID to arrest 22 suspects if sufficient evidence is available against them over the attack on protesters near Temple Trees and Galle Face on May 9.”

The Department has also instructed the CID to record the statements of those on whom foreign travel bans have been imposed including the travel ban on former Prime Minister. The former Provincial Council member and an employee of the Moratuwa Municipal Council have already been taken into custody over the unrest.

According to the Trade Union Coordinating Centre (TUCC) statements a series of protests is also expected to be launched on soon across the island against the arbitrary arrests made in the wake of the unrest that broke out last week.

The co-convener of TUCC said the protests will be carried for three days. He said the trade unions hope to seek legal action against those who incited violence from inside the Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s official residence, on May 9.

The trade unions will force the government and the Inspector-General of Police to take them into custody. The chief secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) said the teachers and principals will support this series of trade union action. It also shows that the island country will face turbulent days ahead also unless the solid solution of its economic crunch.