‘Clash of MPs’ in Parliament

10 January 2018 12:27 pm - 51 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Parliament was engulfed in turmoil today with the members of the United National Party (UNP) and the joint opposition trading blows and exchanging unsavoury words over differences with regard to the tabling of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on the Central Bank bond.

Parliament met yesterday for a special session to discuss the CB bond transactions. At the start of business, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced that President Maithripala Sirisena had agreed to make available copies to the House in a week.

However, the three main political groups in the Opposition -- the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the joint opposition and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) were not agreeable to this.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also the Chief Opposition Whip, said the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) which hold the savings of the workers had lost as much as Rs.8.5 billion in the larges ever financial fraud committed in this country and therefore the report should be submitted to the House without any further delay.

“We have also sought a report under the Right to Information Act. It means we should be given a copy by January 15. Today is January 10. One cannot say the President’s Office is not ready now. Therefore, there is no reason for the presidential secretariat to delay giving the copies. If the President has referred the report to the Bribery Commission and the Attorney General’s Department, then why can’t it be given to the House? The House is above them all,” he said.

His position was widely accepted by joint opposition’s parliamentary group leader Dinesh Gunawardane. He said the Speaker assured them the other day that a copy would be made available to the House yesterday. He asked the Speaker to order the Presidential Secretariat to release the report to the House immediately.

“We even agreed at the party leaders meeting that the English version would suffice for the time being. Parliament is supreme. That is the position upheld by all the past Speakers. Once former Speaker Anura Bandaranaike upheld that even the Supreme Court could not overrule Parliament. Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa upheld that view. We have heard that a report is available with the Attorney General. He is an official answerable to the House. We can engage him now,” Mr. Gunawardene said.

TNA and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan said the debate should take place at the earliest.

“There is no dispute over that. This is a report the country is interested in seeing. We must debate it and get to the root of it,” he said.

TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran also endorsed what the JVP leader said and said a report should be available by 1.30 p.m.

The Speaker responded saying the president’s office had agreed to send it within a week and asked the members not to create a rift between him and the President. At this point Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stood up to make a statement.

Mr. Gunawardane raised objections saying the Prime Minister should not be allowed to make a statement in the absence of an overall debate. However, the Speaker allowed the Prime Minister to go ahead with his statement. At this moment, the members of the JO started demonstrating displaying posters and condemning the bond scam. They walked into the Well of the House and moved towards the Speaker. Just then Polonnaruwa district UNP MP Sydney Jayaratne and some others like Hector Appuhamy confronted the protesting MPs and snatching their posters. It led to a tense situation, leading at times to the members on both sides of the House exchanging fisticuffs. UNP MP S.M. Marikkar had nearly exchanged fisticuffs with JO MP Gamini Lokuge. Amid the din the Prime Minister made his statement and subsequently, the House was adjourned.

Meanwhile, there was further tension after Mr. Marikkar who arrived in the Chamber after the House was adjourned and slapped Mr. Lokuge who was standing in the aisle. UNP MP Chaminda Wijesiri also began to hit Mr. Lokuge provoking the other JO members to thrash Mr. Wijesiri.

Fisticuffs were seen being exchanged by MPs Appuhami, Johnston Fernando and Prasanna Ranaweera whose shirt was apparently torn in the melee. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

Video by Susantha, Sanjeewa

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 51

brainmaster Wednesday, 10 January 2018 12:44 PM

Forgive them they never went to school...... via DM Android App

Hadam Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:43 PM

What a good comment. Couldn't stop myself laughing.

Raman Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:44 PM

Totally agree with you this is what happens when uneducated idiots enter parliament sad to see.

MP Wednesday, 10 January 2018 02:54 PM

Yes, as you said we should forgive them now and should teach them an unforgettable lesson by not electing them next time.

suranga Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:28 PM

education is one thing, robbing public money is another thing. don't mix it up and divert the attention elsewhere. the topic is bond-scam and broad day light robbing.

iOS Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:42 PM

Thugs starving to grab power.

willowd Wednesday, 10 January 2018 12:53 PM

This is what happened when we send idiots to the parliament? they are worse than baboons?

Malini Samarasinghe Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:02 PM

Totally agree with you. So sad what has happened to our beautiful country.

Kiri Banda Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:04 PM

This is the phohottuwa trying to bloom.

Unchikun Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:04 PM

Sorry mate, do not disgrace the baboons. They behave like currupt humans.

raj Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:49 PM

we are one of the highly literate country in south east- asia, but we keep on sending uneducated people to the parliament.

patriot Wednesday, 10 January 2018 12:59 PM

They all should be sacked and next in line should be appointed as new MPs as part of punishment. They are a disgrace to the nation.

Janaka Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:46 PM

All of them failed O/L, we can not expect from them good governence

Mahila Wednesday, 10 January 2018 09:12 PM

The next in line is no better.

Unchikun Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:01 PM

Sorry Harasha! This is what happens when Ali Baba clash.

Unchikun Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:10 PM

This happened before and no disciplinary action was taken. Sack all involved and bring dignity to the legislature.

ANTON Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:11 PM

NOT DISGRACEFUL HARSHA, THIS IS INHUMAN AND ANIMISTIC.

Sunil Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:16 PM

It is even more disgraceful when you defend multi-billion rupee robbers.

BV Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:33 PM

You mean Rajatuma and his thieves ?

Ane Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:45 PM

So why not participate the debate peacefully.

Mr Facts Wednesday, 10 January 2018 09:59 PM

There was no debate to participate. That’s the whole point. Ranil has blocked the bond report tabling in parliament. So why did the parliament summon in the first place?

blessing Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:24 PM

Most of the MPs in the Parliament are uneducated thugs!

dharma Thursday, 11 January 2018 09:43 PM

MP are crook and bribe, thugs

TJ Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:24 PM

Punish the people who elect these thugs.The only solutions is to disenfranchise the Srilankans.

MK Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:29 PM

Funny how we didnt see your tweets calling the bond scam a "disgrace"

sasi Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:30 PM

How these people going to develop the country.

ANTON Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:32 PM

OMG, WHERE WERE THOSE SWORDS BROUGHT BY GAMMANPILA GANG.

GAY GAY Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:41 PM

THEY WERE THE ONES WHO SLEPT IN THE PARLIAMENT USED FILTHY WORDS AND ACTED INDECENT MANNER. SO FOR THEM ITS NOT A. SUPRISE. AT. ALL. via DM Android App

Kadmin Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:41 PM

JO shows their worth for next elections. People should wary these thugs.

BUSHEL Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:33 PM

SO NOW BANK ROBBERY IS NOT THE ISSUE

karthik Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:43 PM

Party Leaders must oust these chaps from their parties and make them to tender their resignation from parliament.

voter Thursday, 11 January 2018 10:11 AM

When the party leaders are themselves the ones who are creating these situations. Then whats the point.

Disgusted Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:43 PM

These are the Monkeys in Parliament (MP's) NOT Members of Parliament (MP's)

Lasantha Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:48 PM

Dear Minister, isnt it a disgrace to remain in power after uncovering every thing, inst it disgrace to put foot notes to protect culprits?

Vimal.perera. Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:49 PM

The so called joint opposition wanted this.Where were these chest thumping idiots when container loads of heroion were ordered to speed release from custom.Who issued the letter to ecoedite the release order?Let them die

Chitta Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:51 PM

There are only a few MP's who can engage in a meaningful debate in respectable manner in Sri Lanka parliament. - Harsha, Eran and Hakeem. I don't know Harsha personally but I really admire his debates.

shan Wednesday, 10 January 2018 01:59 PM

Not only our airline but the government should be handed over to another country to manage. These narrow-minded, uneducated so-called patriots are good enough for eating and drinking only. 50 years before our country had a great reputation, we were economically stable, our passport had a great value and we were able to visit 100s of countries without a visa but today, see the progress and wake up oh ignorant people. it will from bad to worse within next couple of decades.

BRAINBUDDY Wednesday, 10 January 2018 02:02 PM

CLASH. IN THE HOUSE. FLASH IN THE NEWS. FLESH. FOR. THE. JOKERS. BUT FLUSH FOR DEMOCRACY. via DM Android App

kola kotiya Wednesday, 10 January 2018 02:46 PM

225 JOKERS WASTING OUR MONEY

Lanka Shantha Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:06 PM

Still the opposition believe in beat and rule policy.Very bad situation. Leaders must show how to lead not to act like as villans.

MK Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:08 PM

Also, you seem to have forgotten where draft constitution documents were burned in Parliament by the UNP during the 2000 debate

Read conscience of President Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:08 PM

President will give bond report before January end and then no confident motion at end of January against PM by JO. Then Prez wants to appoint a new govt. with new PM Chamal Rajapakse or Champika Ranawaka before FEB .10th election combining UNP, SLFP and JO. This will be a disadvantage to UNP and 62 lakhhs voters.

DG Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:10 PM

They are the disgraceful lot running this country and we tax payers expect the country to flourish. Those who voted them in must learn a lesson and throw them out next time. Look at how countries like Singapore develop.

Rajan Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:11 PM

Not surprised about Gamini Lokuge. He started with Cyril Mathew in 1977, by assaulting with chains at the ACBC and followed up with the strikers at Union Place. Old habbits does not go away. shame !

Reader Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:14 PM

Shameless disgraceful lot, even Ranil shouting Kauda Hora? Mahinda Hora. Shown on TV.

Rajan Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:14 PM

Not surprised about Gamini Lokuge leading the attack. His old habits has not left him. Was the right hand hit man of Cyril Mathew in 1977 and lead from front to attack meeting at ACBC and later on the Bank Strikers at Union Place.He was the inventor of Cycle chain attack.

Sincere Wednesday, 10 January 2018 03:57 PM

Minister of Education. Pls make the Parliament of Sri Lanka out of bounds for school children immediately.

Yeti Thursday, 11 January 2018 08:28 AM

Some one said that rogues and thugs are elected by honest people who do not vote. Very true but what can they do otherwise? You elect an angel and soon he metamorphoses into Satan!!!!!!!

Sunil Thursday, 11 January 2018 07:58 PM

I won't cast my vote at the LG polls.Hey...join with me

Dany Friday, 12 January 2018 08:56 AM

Not a good idea. In fact your none cast vote is not just 0 value; it gives the other contestants a positive value. instead vote strategically.

RMB Senanayake Thursday, 11 January 2018 10:33 PM

Why not publish the Report so that the more enlightened elements and the intellectuals can comment. RMB Senanayake

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

‘Clash of MPs’ in Parliament

Comments - 51

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

New Visa procedure implemented

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

April 15 declared a government holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win