Speaker expresses concern over Wijeyadasa’s controversial remarks

• Mr. Rajapakshe should  not be in Parliament if he thinks it is the most corrupt institution in  Sri Lanka

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday said he was saddened by MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s remarks that Parliament was the most corrupt institution in the country.  

 The Speaker made this remark when Joint Opposition member Nimal Lansa questioned about the statement made by MP Rajapakshe. “MP Rajapakshe said Parliament is the most corrupt institution in the country. He had also said that the laptop computers that had been given to the MPs amounted to be a bribe. This statement of Mr. Rajapakshe will affect us adversely,” Mr. Lansa said.  

The Speaker said he is saddened by the statement made by Mr. Rajapakshe, as the laptops were never meant to be a bribe. “I am saddened by the statement that has been made by MP Rajapakshe. The laptops were a donation made by the Chinese Parliament. If any MP does not want the machines they could return them. Mr. Rajapakshe should not be in Parliament if he thinks it is the most corrupt institution in Sri Lanka,” the Speaker said.