Wiggy’s reference to Tamil homeland concept won’t be expunged – Speaker

‘Members have a right to express views freely’

By Saman Indrajith

Every MP had a right to speak and express his or her views freely and that right was ensured in the House and, therefore, TMTK MP C.V. Wigneswaran’s opening statement with references to the Tamil homeland concept would not be expunged from Hansard, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told Parliament yesterday.

The Speaker said so when the matter was brought up by Galle District SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara raising a point of order that the speech made by MP Wingeswaran was there in the unedited version of the parliamentary proceedings report. MP Nanayakkara said: “We raised a privilege matter in this House and pointed out that MP Wigneswaran’s statement with regard to Tamil homeland in the North and the East of the country was against the oath we have taken and demanded that it should be expunged. However it is printed in Hansard. This should be revised and the controversial statement expunged.”

Speaker Abeywardena:

That is not a point of order. One MP has made a statement. He did so in keeping with his rights. He has the right to express his views freely. That right should be there. If there is any discrepancy that has to be rectified, then you too can make a speech and express your views. The statement would not be expunged from Hansard.  It does not matter whether the MP is from the government or the Opposition. He or she has that right and you too have the same right to express your views.”

Kurunegala District SLPP MP Shantha Bandara: The Chair promised to look into this matter when the issue was first raised. The controversial statement could be removed from Hansard. There is such a tradition that whenever an MP makes a statement against the Constitution, the chair is empowered to remove it from Hansard. Therefore, we request the Speaker to remove this reference with regard to the traditional Tamil homeland concept.

Rauff Hakeem: Parliamentary powers and privileges Act has ensured that each member has the freedom of speech in Parliament. The Speaker in keeping with the Act made an order. I think that the Speaker is perfectly right in his order.

SJB Kurunegala District MP Nalin Bandara: We took an oath on the first day here that we would not support separatism directly or indirectly. But within an hour after taking that oath MP Wingeswaran violated it. He should be expelled from this House. Does the Speaker think that the oath has no meaning?

Speaker Abeywardena: It is not a point of order.