Housing Minister refers to SLPP rebels as three-headed asses

By Saman Indrajith

Leader of the House and Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told Parliament yesterday that Marxist/Trotskyist leader Dr. Colvin R. de Silva referred to those who become independent MPs as three-headed asses.

Responding to a question raised by SLPP-rebel group head Prof GL Peiris on not allocating time for them to speak in the House, the minister said: “All MPs have the right to speak in Parliament. The House has two sides as the government and the Opposition and time for the MPs are allocated either from the opposition or the government.

There is no tradition for allocating time for the independent side. We are following the Westminster tradition which does not have such an allocation. Then we will have to go against the tradition and place some chairs in between the government and the opposition and give time for those who identify themselves as independent MPs. That would be the end of Westminster tradition and the new tradition could be named as the tradition of three-headed asses. Dr. Colvin R. de Silva identified such MPs who do not belong neither to the government nor the opposition as three-headed asses. We do not like to use the same reference to identify the MPs who now call themselves independent MPs. We accept that they too have a right to speak in Parliament. The question is when they become independent who would allocate time for them. Is it the duty of the government side to allocate time for them or is it the opposition side to make that allocation. We can give time from our side if they become government MPs. If not, would the opposition give their time for these MPs?”

Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella: “As per the tradition, time is allotted for the MPs from the time reserved for each party from which they are elected to the House. These independent MPs were elected from the SLPP. Accordingly, they should be given opportunities from the time reserved for the SLPP.”