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Dinesh insists Manusha tried to intimidate Speaker

Published

5 years ago

2021/12/7

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.

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Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

GL / Harshana

Opp. lashes out at Justice Minister for disparaging remarks about CLA

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Joint Opposition yesterday (09) tore into Justice and National Integration Minister Harsha Nanayakkara over some disparaging remarks about the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) in Parliament on Tuesday (08).

The Convenor of the Opposition grouping, former Law Professor Peiris questioned Minister Nanayakkara’s declaration that the CLA was a private club that granted membership on payments received. Emphasising that the CLA consisted of those in the legal profession in Commonwealth countries, Prof. Peiris told the weekly media briefing at the Flower Road Office of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe that the views expressed by the organisation couldn’t be discarded under any circumstances.

Prof. Peiris dealt with Nanayakkara’s response to the CLA’S concerns about several issues, including the composition of the five-member panel of judges. “How could Minister Nanayakkara dismiss concerns raised by CLA on the basis of the paid-membership of the organisation?” Prof. Peiris asked. If membership became an issue, the government would have to reconsider Sri Lanka’s UN membership, the ex-External Affairs Minister said, pointing out that the country had to make regular payments to retain membership of other UN agencies, as well.

Prof. Peiris said that indefensible attacks on international organisations could cause irreparable damage to the country. Appreciating the CLA’s report on the Supreme Court proceedings on the 01 and 02 September, Prof. Peiris stressed the importance of what he called total transparency in the judicial process. He said that whatever the outcome of a particular legal process, it couldn’t be done behind the backs of the public.

Referring to legal processes regarding the 6th Amendment and 13th Amendment, in 1983 and 1987, respectively, Prof. Peiris said, on both occasions the then Chief Justices Neville Samarakoon and S. Sharvananda constituted benches consisting of all Supreme Court judges.

But, the incumbent CJ Preethi Padman Surasena, in spite of the majority of petitioners demanding all available 13 justices to hear the case, decided to leave out those on the seniority list from second position to fourth position.

The government got offended because the CLA pointed that out for the whole world to take notice, Prof. Peiris said. The former parliamentarian noted that the CJ hadn’t even give a reason for declining the widespread call to involve all available 13 judges. According to him, there had been instances where CJ’s appointed seven justices to hear a particular case. Prof. Peiris cited the 2018 bench of seven judges that heard the petitions against President Maithripala Sirisena over the dissolution of Parliament and a panel constituted in 2023 to hear the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage that claimed the lives of 270 people.

The issue at hand is that the five-member panel of judges hadn’t been selected on the basis of seniority, Prof. Peiris said, once the SC determination was sent and released through the Speaker, they would meticulously examine that to make their position known to the people. Prof. Peiris said that what they really wanted to know was that if seniority hadn’t been the basis for selection what the criterion was.

News

Sri Lanka reiterates its territory won’t be used against India

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh listening attentively to President Dissanayake (pic courtesy PMD)

The Indian Defence Ministry in a statement issued yesterday (09) quoted President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as having assured visiting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that Sri Lanka would never allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India’s security interests.

The text of the Indian press release: “Visiting Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on September 09, 2026. The two leaders held substantive discussions on issues covering the entire spectrum of the multi-faceted partnership between the two nations, characterised by traditionally warm relations and mutual trust.

The two sides reaffirmed that as civilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partners, India and Sri Lanka would continue to work together for their development and welfare of the people while working jointly to ensure the safety, security, peace and prosperity of the region. The senior Indian Minister conveyed greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and underlined that the citizens of the two countries share deep friendship based on strong historical & civilisational links and people-to-people exchanges.

Extending a warm welcome to Mr. Singh, President Dissanayake recalled his interactions with PM Modi and reiterated that Sri Lanka would never allow its territory to be used for any activities inimical to India’s security interests.

President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude for the relief assistance provided by India as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu during Cyclone Ditwah and the comprehensive rehabilitation package extended by New Delhi to facilitate reconstruction and rehabilitation work across different parts of the island. The powerful Indian Defence Minister emphasised that as a closest friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka, India considered it not a favour, but a responsibility to provide assistance as the first responder and would continue to do so in the future as well.

Both leaders virtually inaugurated three Bailey Bridges constructed by the Indian Defence Forces. The two sides also exchanged MoUs on upgradation of L70 Guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force, and cooperation between National Cadet Corps (NCC) & National Defence Colleges (NDC) of both the countries. The MoU on Upgradation of six L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force falls under a Government of India grant. The upgradation of these air defence guns will significantly strengthen the air defence architecture of critical assets in Sri Lanka. These air defence guns were earlier provided to the Sri Lanka Air Force by India.

The MoU on academic cooperation between NDC, India and NDC, Sri Lanka will facilitate knowledge sharing which will be a significant step in further strengthening the academic bonds between both the sister institutes. The MoU on NCC cooperation will formalise the NCC youth exchange programme between India and Sri Lanka. This exchange programme provides a valuable opportunity for NCC cadets from multiple countries across the world to come to New Delhi every year and participate in NCC events.”

News

UK-led Core Group calls Jaffna mass graves a ‘stark reminder’ but stops short of calling for international accountability

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Eleanor Sanders

Mass grave excavations in Sri Lanka are a stark reminder that thousands of cases of enforced disappearance remain unresolved, the Sri Lanka Core Group has told the UN Human Rights Council, urging Colombo to translate its stated commitment to reform into concrete progress, while again stopping short of calling for the international accountability that Tamils have long demanded.

The statement, delivered in Geneva, on Tuesday (08), during the Council’s 63rd session by the United Kingdom’s Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders on behalf of Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the UK, welcomed, what it called, the High Commissioner’s balanced assessment of the human rights situation on the island.

The group acknowledged that Sri Lanka had faced considerable challenges recently, including severe weather events and global energy shocks, and welcomed positive developments, including the ratification of the ILO Convention 190 and engagement on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“However, much further action is needed to build confidence in accountability and reconciliation efforts,” Sanders said. “Progress in several emblematic cases has not yet been accompanied by a comprehensive,

victim-centred accountability process to address past violations. Mass grave excavations are a stark reminder that thousands of cases of enforced disappearances remain unresolved. And reports of intimidation, harassment, and restrictions affecting civil society, journalists and victims’ groups, including in the North and East, still raise concerns.”

The group urged progress on democratic governance, including advancing legal and institutional reforms, resolving land-related issues, ensuring respect for human rights in detention institutions and strengthening independent institutions.

The statement follows a familiar pattern. In June, the group acknowledged “developments in certain mass grave investigations” and urged that excavations meet international standards, and in March it called for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. At the 58th session it welcomed a series of measures Tamils regarded as superficial. Neither this statement, nor its predecessors, names Chemmani, calls for international oversight of the excavation, or addresses the demand for a referral to the International Criminal Court.