PM criticises protestors for blocking MPs access to Parliament

Thursday, 1 December 2016 00:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prime Minister Ranil Wickreme-singhe yesterday blasted protesters who were blocking the Parliamentary Road, preventing MPs from entering the premises.

Instructing the Committee Stage Chairman MP Ananda Kumarasiri to inform Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to take up the privilege issue with the judiciary and the police, the PM said: “Protesters have prevented members from taking part in the budget debate.

I don’t want to prevent people’s right to protest, but they should not prevent members’ access to Parliament.”

“A few members have already informed me that they were unable to take part in the budget debate and got late. The protestors are violating the 1st clause in the Privileges Act. I suggested the Speaker inform the judiciary and the police of the breach of privileges,” he added.

Opposition lawmaker M. A. Sumanthiran agreed with the Prime Minister and requested action to be taken to allow uninterrupted access to Parliament. “We don’t want to disturb the protestors, but members should have free access to Parliament,” said MP Sumanthiran.