Colombo – A legal dispute has emerged regarding the appointment of Lakshman Nipunarachchi, a Member of Parliament from the National People’s Power (NPP), to a ministerial position. This issue arose following Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s appointment as President of Sri Lanka.
Nipunarachchi was appointed to fill a vacant ministerial position, but his ability to be sworn in as an MP was hindered by the dissolution of Parliament. The situation has sparked a debate over the interpretation of parliamentary rules concerning ministerial appointments.
The General Secretary of Parliament indicated that a member who has not yet been sworn in could potentially receive ministerial leave. However, this view has been contested by the Attorney General, who disagrees with this interpretation.
As the legal ramifications of this appointment unfold, the situation raises questions about the authority of parliamentary procedures and the potential implications for the new administration. The controversy reflects ongoing tensions within the political landscape, as the Dissanayake government seeks to establish its legitimacy and functionality in the wake of recent changes in leadership.