Sri Lanka deputy speaker election under way again as independent MPs threaten to spoil vote

ECONOMYNEXT – A number of government MPs and opposition parties in Sri Lanka Tuesday (17) morning rejected moves to elect a deputy speaker of parliament, arguing that it would be a waste of time and calling for a unanimous decision instead on who should get the post.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena threatened to spoil his vote, as did former Minister Wimal Weerawansa who claimed that 10 parties that were part of the former ruling coalition that now function independently in parliament are all opposed to the election.

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) proposed the name of its MP Rohini Kaviratne, while the government nominated MP Ajith Rajapaksha.

The SJB noted that Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has recommended that a female MP be elected for the post of deputy speaker.

The SJB also called for an electronic vote to save time, which went unheeded.

The election is now under way, in the form of a secret ballot. (Colombo/May17/2022)