Speaker censures Govt. MPs

Saturday, 7 September 2019 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says their absence brings disrepute and disgrace to P’ment
Repeated warnings disregarded, threatens action
Says MPs reason for P’ment losing public regard

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday severely censured Government Parliamentarians for their behaviour and absence during sessions and said they were responsible for the public disgust directed towards the House.

Speaker Jayasuriya also highlighted the adverse publicity the behaviour of the Government Parliamentarians had earned on Thursday, especially over the absence of Ministers to answer questions posed by the Opposition and the conduct of MPs later in the day, and warned lawmakers he would take stern action if such behaviour was repeated.

“The reports carried in the print media bring disgrace and disrepute to this House. These kinds of incidents should not be repeated. It is the responsibility of the Government to behave in a disciplined and ethical manner. And also, this matter had to be reminded over and over again during the recent past. The lawmakers behaved badly and the Opposition used foul language,” he said.

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Mahinda Amaraweera who was on his feet commended the Speaker for taking the matter up again in Parliament.

“Not only in print media but the television channels continued to criticise the Parliament based on the situation reported in newspapers. They touched upon the costs incurred to maintain the Parliament and held all 225 lawmakers responsible. We urge the Government to make use of their Ministers, Deputy Ministers and the State Ministers in responding to questions asked in Parliament,” he said. (AH)