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| Wednesday, 23 February 2005 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarchchi and Ranil Wijayapala A debate on whether the country's Legislators should posses academic qualifications to be members of Parliament caused an uproar during yesterday's sittings in the House when an oral question for demanding such qualification was raised by Colombo District UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake. Power and Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha poured scorn on the MP's observation saying that questioning an MP's educational qualifications was a breach of a Member's privilege as well as an insult heaped on the member concerned. "Questioning the educational qualifications of a Member of Parliament in the House was a clear attack on the privilege of an MP since Members of the House are elected by the people," Premajayantha told Parliament. Besides, raising issues of a Member's academic qualification in the House tantamount to an insult and slur cast on such member, the Minister said in reply to the Oral question by Karunanayake. In his question, the Colombo District MP wanted the academic attainments of an MP be made the yardstick to qualify him for Parliament membership. Joining the fray, Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said there have been Parliamentarians who had barely passed their fifth standard who nevertheless rendered an unparalleled service to the nation. "It is the people who select MPs. Even members with low academic records have served the country with distinction," Fernandopulle said. Speaker W.J.M.Lokubandara observed that Members of Parliament were returned in terms of election laws and not on the basis of educational qualifications. Posts and Telecommunications Minister D.M. Jayaratne referred to the monumental service rendered to the country by leaders like D.S. Senanayake and Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike who did not possess great academic achievements. "It is not appropriate to waste the valuable time of this House over trivia. Notwithstanding any educational qualifications various MPs have rendered a great service to the country," he said. "We should put a halt to the abuse of Parliament time," Jayaratne said. |
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