Speaker gets copy of PCoI Report

By Gagani Weerakoon and Methmalie Dissanayake

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday (23), informed Parliament that he received a copy of the Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into Easter Sunday Terror Attacks in 2019.

During Sittings yesterday, Speaker Abeywardena was seen leaving the Chamber while Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was speaking. Premadasa, who started to question as to whether SJB MP Ranjan Ramanayake could participate in today’s (24) Sittings, a few minutes later alleged that the Speaker was trying to avoid questions of the Opposition regarding Ramanayake and that was why the Speaker had left the Chamber.

Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya then replied that the Speaker left the Chamber to attend something of national importance. 

The Speaker was seen returning to the Chamber half an hour later and told Parliament that he had received the PCoI Report.  “I received the PCoI Report into Easter Sunday Terror Attacks in 2019 a short while ago. That is why I left the Chamber. I did not run away as alleged by the Opposition,” he said. 

The Speaker said the PCoI report he received was kept in the Parliament library and that MPs could refer to the Report. 

“I did not get enough copies to present them to the House. I hope the copies will be sent to Parliament this week. After that they will be presented to Parliament,” he said.