House adjourned over security concerns

by Sarath Malalasekara and Rashomi Silva

Parliament was adjourned yesterday morning due to security concerns.

A thorough check of the Chamber later revealed no explosives or other suspicious objects. "Nothing was revealed in the joint investigations carried out by the STF and the Police," Military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told the Daily News.

Parliament SSP K.M. Sarath Chandra confirmed that no explosive devices had been found in the search. The Government Analyst who was also summoned to Parliament conducted a separate investigation.

Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara adjourned the House till February 14 seconds after sessions began at 10 a.m., citing security concerns.

Sittings were due to start at 9.30 a.m., but Police and STF officials conducting a routine check using sniffer dogs noticed that one of the dogs was behaving in an unusual manner near a Member's chair in the Opposition benches.

Senior Police and STF officers rushed to the scene along with Sergeant-at-Arms C. Palliyaguru. They kept the Speaker informed of the latest developments. STF officers indicated that a thorough check of the particular area and the entre chamber would take several hours.

By this time, several MPs from both sides had entered the Chamber and were seeking talking to each other in various corners. Only a couple of MPs however remained seated in the Opposition side, where the drama was unfolding. No TNA Members were present in the Chamber at this time.

The quorum bell began to ring around 9.55 a.m. and many MPs who were outside walked into the Chamber.

The Speaker came in from the rear entrance, as TNA members had earlier indicated that they would continue their agitation inside Parliament following the abduction of several TRO officials.

They walked over to the Speaker as soon as he took the Chair, shouting slogans.

Many counter slogans were heard from the Government side. The Speaker then adjourned sittings.

Most Members continued to remain in the Chamber for 10-15 minutes, exchanging friendly and not-so-friendly banter. Minister Douglas Devananda was the target of many verbal volleys of TNA Members.

The TNA on Wednesday retracted their earlier decision not to agitate in Parliament in view of the Geneva talks. Previously on January 17, 18 and 18, TNA Members engaged in agitation campaigns against what they called the harassment of Tamil civilians by the Security Forces in the North-East. Parliament was adjourned early on these days.

Asked if the party would continue the agitation once Parliament re-commences on February 14, TNA Member M. Senathirajah said that if the abducted TRO members are set free, they would not re-commence the agitation.