Former President MP Mahinda Rajapaksa has reportedly slammed the TNA and the JVP calling the parties the “yahapalana opposition” in parliament. Rajapaksa has made the claim over the failure of the two political parties to meet the expectations of the public.
“There is a yahapalana government as well as a yahapalana opposition in this country. After the August 2015 parliamentary election, the UNP Speaker refused to recognize the Joint Opposition which had over 50 MPs as a part of the opposition, and gave the opposition leadership to the TNA which had 16 MPs. The JVP which had six MPs was given the position of chief opposition whip. Hence, we now have a situation in this country where the Joint Opposition which votes against the budget every year and opposes the Government both inside and outside Parliament, is not considered by the UNP Speaker to be a part of the opposition, while the TNA which always votes with the Government at the budget and cooperates with them both inside and outside Parliament is considered to be the main opposition party,” Rajapaksa has said in a statement.
He has further noted that the TNA and the JVP were included in the all-powerful National Executive Council which was formed over and above the Cabinet to run the country following the 2015 Presidential election.
