NCM against Speaker: New low in Parliament

On Thursday, October 29th, 2026, the government appears to be employing every tactic possible to either prevent or diminish the Opposition's no-confidence motion (NCM) against Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The Opposition, however, remains steadfast in its demand for the Speaker's immediate resignation, even as they allege that some of the NCM's allegations are still under investigation.

The Opposition has presented 50 allegations, with many of them being particularly damaging to both the Speaker and the JVP-led National People's Party (NPP). The government has attempted to stall the NCM by claiming certain allegations are sub judice, meaning they are currently under investigation and thus cannot be debated.

The Opposition has remained unfazed, insisting that they will neither modify nor abandon the NCM. They have called for the immediate resignation of the Speaker, who is currently under investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The Opposition has criticized a recent decision by the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by the Speaker, to reject a debate on the no-confidence motion unless the Opposition first amends the allegations. This decision has been met with widespread criticism from the Opposition.

The Speaker's decision to chair a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business to discuss the NCM against him has raised eyebrows. It is a decision that highlights the decay within the institutions and the erosion of public confidence, which could potentially lead to a popular uprising. The government, in its previous administrations, has not exhibited the same level of restraint and respect for democratic norms.

The JVP-NPP government has failed to distinguish itself from its predecessors in terms of its approach towards parliamentary debates and the treatment of opposition voices.