Athaullah’s dress causes chaos in Parliament

• This is not the Parliament in Afghanistan or  Pakistan to be so attired -Marikkar
• Is the Opposition concerned about the 20A or about my dress -Athaullah  

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

The Opposition yesterday raised objection to MP A.L.M. Athaullah’s attire claiming he was  violating the dress code of the House.   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Nalin Bandara, who raised objections urged the Speaker to remove the MP from the chamber.  

SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said this was not the Parliament in Afghanistan or Pakistan to be so attired while MP Athaullah asked whether the Opposition was concerned about the 20A or about his dress but had to leave the chamber because of Opposition protests. However, later in the day, SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna raised objections saying MP Athaullah was present in the House again violating the dress code.   

Deputy Chairman of Committees Angajan Ramanathan said, “The Speaker has allowed him to attend Parliament sessions only for today in that dress”.  Such issues with regard to attire has flared out in Parliament on several earlier occasions .