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Last Updated : 2024-05-19 08:43:00
12 February 2024 05:20 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Parliament, Feb. 11 (Daily Mirror)- The Privilege Committee of Parliament has recommended that Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne and Army Commander Vikum Liyanage must apologise to Parliamentarian Chandima Weerakkody for making threatening statements against the MP during a committee meeting inside the Parliament Complex.
The Privilege Committee has issued the recommendation after investigating into a privilege issue raised by MP Weerakkody in Parliament last October, stating that the Defence Secretary and the Army Commander had threatened him at the meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security chaired by MP Sarath Weerasekara on October 5, 2023.
The MP had told Parliament that he had mentioned at the particular Committee meeting that reducing the expenses of high-ranking military officers was better than reducing the number of soldiers to reduce the defence budget and that the Defence Secretary had made a threatening statement when he had said so.
He said it is against Standing Orders to make such threatening statements against an MP and requested the Speaker to summon them before the Privilege Committee.
Accordingly, Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security MP Sarath Weerasekara, Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne and Army Commander Vikum Liyanage had been summoned before the Privilege Committee and statements were recorded from them over the incident.
The Privilege Committee has also recommended that the committee chair must conduct the meeting impartially and take steps to protect the privileges of the MPs during meetings and also the officials who attend the committee meetings must be aware of the Powers and Privileges Act of Parliament.
Following the recommendations of the Privilege Committee, the Defence Secretary and the Army Commander have tendered an apology to MP Weerakkody.
Citizen Kane Monday, 12 February 2024 06:19 AM
The CoC in any self respecting democracy would have removed from office immediately.
sam silva2 Monday, 12 February 2024 06:50 AM
UKKUSSA from ananda MUST BE punished and not just an apology!
Balakumar Monday, 12 February 2024 07:24 AM
It is not just in Sri Lanka but in all throughout the world , men and women who work in uniform or intelligence jobs are arrogant and prone to violence. I am not a fan of Trump, but no one can deny that the all powerful American Military Generals and Directors of American Intelligence agencies were, for the first in American history, were brought under government control by President Trump. Historians say that even the dynamic President Kennedy was intimidated by American Generals and the FBI Director on several instances. Recall President Trump summarily sacked some American Generals and one particular Director of the FBI. Democracy is not what the West like to define as having free elections every four to five years ,but actually it is more than free elections , importantly also about Military and Intelligence coming under total civil political control.
Balakumar Monday, 12 February 2024 07:24 AM
It is not just in Sri Lanka but in all throughout the world , men and women who work in uniform or intelligence jobs are arrogant and prone to violence. I am not a fan of Trump, but no one can deny that the all powerful American Military Generals and Directors of American Intelligence agencies were, for the first in American history, were brought under government control by President Trump. Historians say that even the dynamic President Kennedy was intimidated by American Generals and the FBI Director on several instances. Recall President Trump summarily sacked some American Generals and one particular Director of the FBI. Democracy is not what the West like to define as having free elections every four to five years ,but actually it is more than free elections , importantly also about Military and Intelligence coming under total civil political control.
Ranga Monday, 12 February 2024 07:52 AM
What privilege for someone getting voted
Ram Monday, 12 February 2024 08:07 AM
Two big guns before privileges committee ended with an apology. If I or any other person had to go before the same committee, it would have been Jail and all that
VJ Monday, 12 February 2024 08:22 AM
What was that threatening statement? Was it like “ meet me outside the parliament, I will whack you” or something similar?
BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 12 February 2024 09:03 AM
This is for threatening a MP. How about the thousands of threats made by these same persons in uniform to ordinary citizens? How many of us will not dare complain about it, because even the investigation can surely take a wrong turn and the victim can become the perpetrator. This happens in countries such as Sri Lanka where State thuggery and criminality is rampant.
Sumo de Silva Monday, 12 February 2024 09:51 AM
So this does not happen in the country you live in now. You are one who loves to put down Sri Lanka. I know why, but you know that anyway buffalo.
BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 12 February 2024 03:25 PM
@Sumo de Silva I do not live in any other country but in Sri Lanka. Yes, I love to put down Sri Lanka because I love Sri Lanka genuinely and not pseudo bastards like you and majority of this nation who have ruined this nation and will keep on ruining it.
Stop Being a Big Bully Monday, 12 February 2024 09:10 AM
That’s the issue currently. Once you have authority, all other things don’t matter. Revenge is another factor we face often too. Hope all this bullying will stop starting from the top of any organisation and accept opinions of others too. Reason out any challenges
Mutinies if No Generous Perks Monday, 12 February 2024 09:14 AM
The forces are given good perks to ensure the rulers are protected in the event there is an issue with the citizens. Also, if not looked after, mutinies like in Thailand may happen in SL too.
Asela Monday, 12 February 2024 10:09 AM
Jangi sarath did not apologies??
Nimal Monday, 12 February 2024 12:57 PM
These guys are nothing but scoundrels who have taken the law into their own hands.
Jayantha Monday, 12 February 2024 02:58 PM
Now mp should go and file a hr case asking compensation. We have a hr violators as acting igp. Now we have more human right violators for other law enforcement authorities. Imf is funding a rogue government. People should stop paying a single penny as tax. Utter waste of public money
Siripala Kanattage Monday, 12 February 2024 03:37 PM
These all 225 Pin Bath, Pin Padi, Pin Gonas must apologise from all Sri Lankan people!
A Sri Lankan Monday, 12 February 2024 03:44 PM
Wasn't it within that same parliament that a certain politician claimed that the Sri Lankan military forces were on their way to Paamankada and not to Alimankada (Elephant Pass) and that they had captured Medawachchiya and not Kilinochchiya? I don't recall the military receiving an apology from that member of parliament!
Sajith Monday, 12 February 2024 03:46 PM
Imagine what will be left for ordinary people like us when we present for our rights against such forces!!
Andrew Silva Tuesday, 13 February 2024 04:40 AM
Well these guys are infallible.
Adwani Tuesday, 13 February 2024 06:48 AM
Guys in Military are a totally different sect, they should not be allowed to enter politics. Besides, they do not have any knowledge in economics. Take an example, what Sarath Fonseke made any contributions in economical decisions???
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