If we are not allowed to express ourselves, shut down parliament: MP Chamara Sampath

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, Oct. 11 (Daily Mirror) - “If we are not allowed to express ourselves here, then it’s better to shut down this House,” Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament yesterday, defending his right to speak after a complaint was lodged against him with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The MP said the complaint was filed for revealing that a minister’s son was caught smoking an e-cigarette at school. “I am not afraid to go before the CID. I will reveal everything. I have spoken in this Parliament even while I was in prison,” he said.

Dassanayake also criticised those who challenge MPs to make such remarks outside Parliament, insisting that parliamentary privilege exists to allow members to raise issues on behalf of the people.

He further alleged that some current government ministers had taken credit for opening a Sathosa outlet in Badulla, claiming it was a project he initiated. “I had to go down on my knees before then Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena to get that Sathosa outlet for the people of Badulla,” he added.