Leftist parties oppose UPFA National List

Leftist parties today?raised strong objections to the members appointment to Parliament by the United People?s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) through the National List.

Democratic Left Front leader Vasudeva Nanayakara said that the UPFA members appointed to Parliament through the National List, do not have the backing of the public or Parliamnt.

He noted that appointing defeated candidates to Parliament is a violation of Parliament democracy.

?Bringing someone to Parliament when they do not have a mandate is a violation of Parliament democracy,? he said.

Nanayakara said that in the past there have been UPFA members, including Ratnasiri Wickremenayake and Mervyn Silva, who were brought to Parliament through the National List but they had the support of Parliament.

Communist Party General Secretary D.E.W Gunasekera said that the Leftist parties have challenged the UPFA National List appointments owing to the manner in which they were selected.

He said that the appointment of some members to Parliament through the National List is also a violation of the constitution. (Colombo Gazette)