Parliament suspends MPs

Friday, 6 May 2016 00:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Parliament yesterday suspended from sittings Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Palitha Thewarapperuma and UPFA MP Prasanna Ranaweera for a week based on the recommendations made in the committee report on Tuesday’s brawl.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya sighting the committee report proposed the House the necessary action required. “UNP MP Palitha Thewarapperuma and UPFA MP Prasanna Ranaweera are the key persons among the many responsible for this unpleasant incident. According to Standing Order 74 (2), which should be read with 72 (1), I propose the Leader of the House to move a motion to suspend these two members for a week from the Parliament. The order will be enforced from tomorrow,” he said.

“The unpleasant happening on Tuesday tarnishes the supremacy of the Parliament. The public rejects the Parliament based on these happenings. Such incidents pose a threat for the Parliament as well as for the lives of the Members. It is our responsibility to take action to avoid such situations in the future. According to the report, the main reason for this unpleasant event was the opposition members’ coming to centre aisle and protesting loudly disrupting the proceedings,” he added.

Minister of Higher Education and Highways and the Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella moved the motion, which was approved by members.

JVP MP Anura Dissanayaka proposed public be given the option to decide on the behaviour of the MPs from the CCTV footage. “We are elected to represent different political parties in this Parliament. There is a doubt that personal agendas are met to a certain extent in making certain reports and actions taken. So, it is better to give the opportunity to the public to decide. The CCTV recordings should be released to the media,” he said. Minister of City Planning and Water Supply Rauf Hakeem commending the Speaker’s decision, which was the minimal penalty that could be given as per the Standing Orders, said: “The dignity of this House depends on these matters being resolved inside the House. We need not take these matters outside this chamber. Having been part of what transpired in the party leader meeting, my earnest view is that both sides should cooperate. What you proposed now is the most lenient punishment that we can give.”