Opposition MPs fear for their safety in the House – JVP

Leader of the House, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament yesterday that no member of the House should be allowed to threaten and intimidate the Speaker and action should be taken immediately to control the unparliamentary conduct of the Opposition MPs.

Taking part in the debate on Budget 2022, the leader of the House said that the SJB MPs had displayed their callous disregard for parliamentary traditions, Standing Orders and dignity and decorum in the House last Friday and Saturday.

“We discussed this matter at length at the special party leaders’ meeting. The Speaker is the one who gives leadership to this august assembly. No MP can threaten and intimidate him or any presiding member. All MPs are duty bound to prevent any such threats, acts of intimidation and influences on the Chair. It is also the responsibility of the Leader of the House and the Chief Government Whip to assist the Speaker to conduct parliamentary sessions without hindrance.

“We must ensure the protection of the Speaker. When we scrutinise the video footage of Friday’s session, we can see how MP Manusha Nanayakkara ran to the Chair, threatening the Speaker. That is an unparliamentary act. We must ensure that the Speaker’s word or ruling on any matter is final. That is how a parliament is run anywhere in the world. The Speaker should order an investigation into this matter. We are saddened and hurt by the Opposition’s conduct of threatening the Speaker and thereafter trying to politicise the issue. We should put an end to this conduct of the opposition MPs.

“When there was a countrywide power cut, electricity supply in Parliament, too, was disrupted on Friday. That is a dangerous incident. That, too, should be investigated. We saw how the opposition MPs became jubilant when there was a power outage. We have no problem with the Opposition complaining of any incident to anyone but they should not forget that they cannot absolve themselves of the blame for the incident.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake:

The SJB MPs have complained of an incident where its MP Manusha Nanayakkara was threatened. It is said that MP Nanayakkara fears for his life. He is afraid of moving out of parliament. An MP should be given the opportunity to speak freely without fear. If an MP has to leave Parliament in disguise in fear of being attacked, then one could understand the gravity of the prevailing situation in this country.

“We have seen enough committees, discussions and reports. One a complaint was lodged with the CID over an incident in this House. But nothing came of that probe. No punishment was meted out to any MPs involved in that incident. There have been many committees in the past over incidents that took place in the House but no action has been taken.

“I believe that the Speaker himself can give a ruling on the matter after scrutinising the video footage of the days of the recent t incidents.

“We call on the Speaker not to let this incident be forgotten. We call on him to give a ruling on the matter.

SLPP MP Mohamed Muzammil:

Although the SJB MPs boycotted the Parliament sessions, they did not forget to visit the parliament canteen today. They do not come to the chamber saying that they do not have security. If so, how come they could come to the parliament canteen? Their protest is intended to draw attention of the foreign powers who are against this country.

MP Anura Kumara addresed only one side of the matter. He should have spoken about both sides of the issue.

Time was when attempts on the lives of some MPs in this Parliament. There were knife wielding MPs as well as chilli powder throwers. We also have seen the way the former Speaker handled similar situations.

In the most recent incident, an SJB MP tried to attack the Speaker. It is our duty to protect him. We would not allow anyone to attack you while we are here. I find that the incumbent Speaker is too democratic. He gives more time to the Opposition. We on the government side have lodged a complaint against MP Nanayakkara. We need an urgent probe into that complaint. Today, the debate is to be on the Housing Ministry. Sajith Premadasa boycotted the debate to cover up his frauds as the Minister of Housing in the yahapalana government.

State Minister Shehan Semasinghe:

I call on the Speaker to investigate all incidents seven days prior to the Friday incident. At this rate, we are not sure that SJB MPs may stab the Speaker any time.

State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera:

The Opposition MPs level allegations against officials and others by taking cover behind Parliament privileges. We are ready to debate. Some of those sections expunged from the Hansard are published by the media.

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane:

There have been many similar incidents in the past. The worst time in the known history was the time when Karu Jayasuriya was the Speaker. He did not permit the uttering of the name of the then President in this House. Today, some Opposition MPs even call the incumbent president a mad person in this House. Every MP should be treated respectfully and it is also the duty and responsibility of every MP to maintain his or her dignity. It is unfair to level baseless allegations. There is a need for everyone to conduct themselves according to the Standing Orders.

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga:

The Speaker has always acted in a democratic manner. The SJB tries to show that there is no democracy. The Opposition MPs tried to assault State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera today. If they could come to the canteen of Parliament why can’t they come to the Chamber? It is no surprise that Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaks for the SJB. He has always worked with them.

Matale District MP Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon: Someone in the officials’ box left of the Chair had videoed the incidents in the Chamber and leaked it to the media. That is a threat to security. It should be investigated and action should be taken against the person concerned.

Colombo District MP SAD Jagath Kumara:

Every member in this House is duty bound to respect the Chair. SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka spoke about the Chair in a derogatory manner. Some Opposition MPs behave in a deplorable manner. The Opposition MPs raise points of order unnecessarily. The Opposition is trying to intimidate the Speaker and that is a threat to democracy.

Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena:

There are wrong social media reports about the committee to be appointed by the Speaker.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abywardena:

That committee will comprise members of both the government and the Opposition.

MP D. B. Herath:

When the Opposition MPs tried to attack the Speaker, the Chief Government Whip protected the Speaker. The SJB tries to propagate lies and internationalise them.