Parliament tripped

24 April 2013 11:52 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Parliament sittings has been suspended for five minutes after UNP MPs staged a protest holding candles against the electricity tariff hike announced by the government.

During the debate on four Bills in the House, the UNP members, after thespeech of their colleague P. Harisson, rushed to the Well of the House with candles in their hands, and started protesting against the recent electricity tariff hike. It disrupted the day’s proceedings, and eventually, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody who was in the Chair, suspended sittings. Yet, the noisy UNP legislators including seniors such as John Amaratunga, Ravi Karunanayake and Lakshman Kiriella persisted with their candle light protest.

Lohan Ratwatte, ruling party member of the Kandy district, was the first to confront the protesting MPs by throwing bottles of water at them. As he threw two bottles, UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake met head on with MP Ratwatte when he attempted to fling yet another bottle of water into the Well of the House. They were about to trade blows when both of them were pushed aside to by members of either side of the House to prevent possible untoward incidents. The UNP seniors made much effort to stop Mr. Ramanayake from assaulting Mr. Ratwatte. On one occasion, Mr. Ramanayake even used unparliamentary language in his anger over the situation.

Along with Minister Basil Rajapaksa, a number of government members trooped into the Well of the House and some others remained in the aisles. There were confrontations between the members of either side. On one occasion, Government MP Manusha Nananayakkara tried to exchange fisticuffs with UNP MP Ajith Perera. Also, UNP MP Sajith Premadasa and Private Bus Transport Minister C.B. Ratnayake almost traded blows. (YP, KB)

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Comments - 14

karma Wednesday, 24 April 2013 12:05 PM

No body felt romance.

Pluto Wednesday, 24 April 2013 12:07 PM

Parliament by Candle Light. Let us sing.

Ela Malli Wednesday, 24 April 2013 12:20 PM

LOL...The government in bankrupt...they were busy enjoying life - now they have no where to turn to borrow money...........Soon they will increase taxes !!

Just4Justice Wednesday, 24 April 2013 12:52 PM

Hope fire extinguishers are ready and available in good working order…

Change now Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:09 PM

Overall Change is needed very badly.

Ranjo Wednesday, 24 April 2013 11:25 PM

Boys are Boys, by the looks.

Suq Madique Thursday, 25 April 2013 04:19 AM

Then they adjourned hand-in-hand to the parliament canteen to indulge in subsidized gastronomical delicacies

sen Thursday, 25 April 2013 05:13 AM

why we have highways with lamp posts!!! government will want all the public to use this on free of charge for sure, MR is very helpfull to public.

band Thursday, 25 April 2013 05:24 AM

Sri Lanka only had a parliament till early 1980s for ladies /gentlemen only.

Thanveer Ashraf Thursday, 25 April 2013 05:33 AM

Ministers or Thugs?

Upawansa Thursday, 25 April 2013 05:50 AM

This is a tussle among the bankrupt goverrnment MPs to score marks and be rewarded with ministership. This is miracle of Asia!

Mohamed Hafsal Thursday, 25 April 2013 06:20 AM

When the government doesn't have money to repay the loans obtained by them they have to increase taxes and I hope they wont seize all the accounts in Sri Lanka.

Grace Thursday, 25 April 2013 07:34 AM

Prices of candles too are likely to go up.

sss Thursday, 25 April 2013 12:10 PM

May it be close for ever

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Parliament tripped

Comments - 14

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