Peiris refused to request a presidential pardon says the UPFA

Former minister Mahinda Wijesekara in parliament requested a pardon from the president for SB Dissanayake.

Dissanayake together with Wijesekara and Peiris crossed over to the UNP from President Kumaratunga's Peoples Alliance (PA) in 2000 August.

Only a presidential intervention can stop Dissanayaka from serving his prison sentence passed on him by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Impeachment

Fernandopullai told journalists soon after the parliamentary session was suspended temporarily, that the United Peoples Front Alliance (UPFA) is not going to forward a request for a presidential pardon due to objections raised by Prof. Peiris during the parliamentary party leaders meeting.

The Speaker WJM Lokubandara came under the heavy criticism of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) at the emergency media briefing held in the parliamentary complex.

JVP Parliamentary Group Leader Wimal Weerawansa told the media that the government and the opposition is treated differently by the speaker.

Weerawansa said that an impeachment motion against the speaker could be a possibility in the near future.

The opposition nominated speaker was elected by a one vote majority in a highly charged contest.