A few moments ago Mr. Ali Zaheer Maulana was sworn in as a Member of Parliament representing the Batticaloa district from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).
It was in the presence of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena when Parliament convened today (17) at 9.30 am.
Mr. Ali Zaheer Maulana has taken oath for the position of Member of Parliament vacated by Mr. Nasir Ahmed.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress had moved to expel Naseer Ahmed from the party as per the party constitution for being loyal to the government against the party’s decision to vote against the 2022 budget. Ahmed voted in favor of the budget during the third reading of the budget held on 10 December 2021.
Two other Sri Lanka Muslim Congress MPs HMM Haris (Digamadulla) and Faisal Qasim (Digamadulla) also voted with MP Ahmed for the 2022 budget, but both later apologized and assured that they would not act against party decisions. Therefore the party decided not to take any action.
The Supreme Council of the party decided to remove Mr. Nasir Ahmed, who was the Minister of Environment, from the membership of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.
After the Supreme Court ruled that the decision was correct on the 6th, his position as a Member of Parliament was abolished.
Accordingly, the President had issued the gazette that the vacant position of Minister of Environment should be in charge of the President, after consulting the Prime Minister.