MP Rauff Hakeem accused Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake of acting unilaterally, disregarding instructions from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Speaking in Parliament, Hakeem alleged that several party leaders, including himself, had been deliberately excluded from the Parliamentary Business Committee. He claimed the President had assured him of a place in the committee, but Rathnayake had overruled the decision.
“The President told me I would be included. You can ask him. But contrary to his decision, we have been removed,” Hakeem said.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader further criticized the move, highlighting his 30-year tenure in Parliament and leadership over five MPs.
He pointed out that the JVP previously had only three members, yet he was being denied a role in the committee due to Rathnayake’s stance.
Rathnayake meanwhile refuted the allegations, stating that his position had already been communicated to the Opposition Whip.
“It was stated that I threatened the MP. Either this statement must be withdrawn or to investigated and then expunged,” the Leader of the House informed the Speaker. (Islandnews)
