Emergency passed without vote:

House adjourned amid TNA uproar

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

KOTTE: The extension of Emergency was passed yesterday without any vote amidst the uproar of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs over the killing of Trincomalee Tamil People's Forum Chairman S. Vikneshwaran yesterday morning.

Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara with the consent of the Government ranks adjourned the sittings of the Parliament till May 10, due to the unruly and unparliamentary behaviour of the TNA MPs at 10.30 a.m. after passing the emergency regulations.

Earlier Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara had to suspend the sittings at 10.10 a.m. as TNA MPs walked into the well of the House condemning the killing of V. Vikneshwaran when Joseph Michael Perera was on his feet expressing views the Emergency.

The TNA MPs surrounded the Speaker's Chair and shouted anti-Government slogan saying that Government should take the responsibility for the killing that took place in Trincomalee yesterday morning.

The TNA MPs also tried to grab the mace from the podium but failed in their attempts as Sergeant-at-Arms Anil Samarasekera prevented them from grabing the mace from the podium.

Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Administration and Deputy Defence Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake placed the emergency regulations for the approval of the House.

Prime Minister Wickremanayake pointed out that ten people have been assassinated by terrorist and illegal organisations. Twenty one cases of attempted murders, 10 abductions and 15 bombings and arsens have been reported during the past one month period, he added.

The Premier also mentioned that as the second round of truce talks are scheduled for April 19, all parties should be committed to make the truce talks successful.

TNA MP Suresh Premachandran informed the House about the killing that took place in Trincomalee and staged their protest walking into the well of the House.

Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara vehemently condemned the behaviour of the TNA Mps.

The Speaker had to adjourns Parliament at 10.30 as the TNA MPs did not heed his request to take their seats and remain calm.