Archives

Pandemonium in Parliament

Members held placards in the well of the House and advanced on the Speaker when opposition legislators staged an unruly demonstration, in Parliament yesterday.

The protest was led by JVP MPs who seized upon a statement by opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse on the situation in the East.

This was after speaker Joseph Michael Perera refused a request by JVP Parliament Group Leader Wimal Weerawansa for a reply from the Government to the statement.

The Speaker "ruled out" such a reply since the Leader of the Opposition had not sought a Government response in his statement. Weerawansa stomped into the middle of the Chamber bearing a giant red banner which carried a lengthy anti-government slogan on Government-LTTE MOU.

Weerawansa was joined by his colleagues bearing smaller placards and also members of the PA with their own posters. They advanced towards the Speaker with their demand for a government reply which forced the latter to suspend sittings amid the din of voices.

When the House resumed, Minister Rauf Hakeem rising to a point of order conceded that it was customary for a government to respond when a statement was made by the Leader of the Opposition.

"Even as the opposition leader was making his statement we were at the discussion with the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister and it was agreed that a statement would be made in that respect," Minister Hakeem said.

"While we will be continuing with our discussions with the Prime Minister and Defence Minister we would appreciate a full debate on this issue," Hakeem added.

Defence Minister Tilak Marapana promised the House that a statement would be made since the situation in the East warranted such a statement in any event.

"We as a responsible Government don't need to be reminded of our responsibility," the Minister said in reply to opposition allegations.

The posters continued to remain hanging from the desk mites on the opposition benches throughout the day.

The cat-calling and unruly scenes prompted Speaker Joseph Michael Perera to direct the attention of members to the packed gallery of school children. "Don't force our public to lose confidence in our legislature" he remonstrated. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager