Speaker to rule on Dissanayake's future

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 January 2006, 13:19 GMT]
Speaker Mr.W.M.J.Lokkubandara is to officially inform the leaders of all political parties represented in the current parliament whether the jailed Mr.S.B.Dissanayake is still a parliamentarian or he has lost his post. Mr.Dissanayake is the National Organizer of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) and was jailed for defaming the Supreme Court, parliamentary sources said.

At the party leaders meeting held last week, Mr.Wimal Weerawanse, parliamentary group leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) queried why the Secretary General of the parliament had failed to informed the Commissioner of Elections on the vacancy created following the imprisonment of Mr.Dissanayake, sources said.

Mr.S.B.Dissanayake is to complete his jail term in 2006 April after the reduction of term for his good conduct, sources said.

A section of the legal circles is of opinion that Mr.Dissanayake can continue to be a parliamentarian despite his jail term as he had not been convicted on crimes which could deprive his post, sources said