Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said that the Parliament has authority to allow the co-confidence motions against Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran and Bribery Commission Director General Dilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe.

He made this observation giving his verdict on the dispute regarding the no-confidence motions filed against the two government officers.

However, Rajapaksa also made it clear that prior to consideration, it should go to a committee where "audi alteram partem" principle (listening to the other side) is allowed.

The opposition demanded yesterday that the motion against Mahendran be debated in parliament as it has authority over fiscal matters of the country. The government maintained that there were no provisions allowing the parliament consider such a motion.

Despite this verdict by the Speaker, the parliament is unlikely to consider the motions during this session. President Maithripala Sirisena announced this morning that the parliament will be dissolved after the appointment of the Constitutional Council.