Ban MPs from going live on FB

Namal requests Speaker

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

While denouncing the unparliamentary language used by some members of parliament in the House, Minister Namal Rajapaksa yesterday requested the Speaker to prevent MPs from telecasting incidents in the House live on social media platforms. 

 He told parliament that members of parliament whether they are senior or junior should maintain self-discipline.   

“What matters is the conduct and language used in the House. Seniority of the MP does not matter if he or she uses unparliamentary language,” he said referring to the uproar in Parliament on Wednesday.  

The Minister said it was a serious issue for both Government and opposition MPs to telecast proceedings of the House live on Facebook and added that there was no use banning the media from telecasting proceedings of the House live if proceedings are telecast live on Facebook.  

He said while adhering to laws and Standing Orders in the House, loopholes in the technology where MPs can creep through should also 
be prevented.  

The Minister said MPs’ fighting in the chamber or at the entrance to the Parliament cannot be approved at any cost.  

• it is a serious issue for both Government and opposition MPs to telecast proceedings of the House live on Facebook