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Three-month ban for unruly MPs
By Saman Indrajith
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday announced in the House that a maximum penalty of three-month ban would be imposed on an MP found guilty of breach of privilege twice in Parliament.
Reading out the announcements to the House, Speaker Abeywardena said that he had sought the opinion of the Attorney General concerning the highest possible penalty that could be imposed on MPs found guilty of multiple offences.
The Speaker said that where a charge-sheet issued by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges of Parliament against an MP contained more than one charge for two or more and the MP concerned was found guilty of more than one of the charges set out in the charge-sheet, he or she could be suspended for three months.
The opinion of the Attorney General was sought regarding the maximum punishment that can be imposed in terms of Section 28 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act No. 21 of 1953.
The Attorney General has stated that an MP found guilty of two or more offences can be punished as per the provisions of Sections 5 and 16(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979 subject to Article 66 (e) of the Constitution in consideration of the Articles 66 (e) and 67 of the Constitution, Sections 22 (3), 27 (1) and 32 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act No. 21 of 1953 which was amended time to time and Standing Orders 77 (1), 77 (2) and 77 (3) of the Parliament and Sections 5 and 16 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979.
The AG has observed that an MP could be suspended for a period exceeding one month under section 28 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act subject to a maximum of three months under Article 66 (e) of the Constitution, where a member has been convicted of two or more separate offences in the charge-sheet for a single incident.
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IGP Deshabandhu Tennakoon informed to be present before the Committee of Inquiry on 19th May
IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon has been informed to be present before the ‘Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power’ on the 19th of May 2025.
This Committee met in the Parliament premises on several occasions as of now, and accordingly, for the first time, IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon has been informed by the Committee, to appear before it, for future investigations.
News
UNESCO Director General candidate Dr. Khaled El Enany meets Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka
Dr. Khaled El Enany – the UNESCO Director General Candidate of the Arab Republic of Egypt met with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka Dr. Risvie Salih at the Parliament premises recently (May 05).
During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the long-standing and cordial bilateral relationship between Egypt and Sri Lanka, emphasizing their shared commitment to further strengthening ties in areas of mutual interest. Dr. El Enany outlined his vision as a candidate for UNESCO leadership, highlighting his dedication to fostering cultural collaboration and understanding among nations. Dr. Risvie Salih also highlighted Sri Lanka’s non-aligned foreign policy and long-standing relationship with Egypt.
The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, and Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Samantha Ranasinghe was sworn in today (May 08) before the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, as a Member of the Tenth Parliament.
Following the oath and affirmation before the Speaker, he signed the Members’ Roll placed before the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.
Member of Parliament Samantha Ranasinghe has been thus appointed to fill the vacancy created due to the demise of Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, who served as a Member of Parliament from the Kegalle District representing the National People’s Power.
IGP Deshabandhu Tennakoon informed to be present before the Committee of Inquiry on 19th May
UNESCO Director General candidate Dr. Khaled El Enany meets Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka
Samantha Ranasinghe sworn in as a Member of Parliament
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