Party leaders agree on 'good behaviour'

Irangika Range, Sandasen Marasingh and Disna Mudalige

Parliamentarians conduct, choice of words and behaviour was the main topic at yesterday's Business Committee Meeting on Parliamentary Affairs.

Party Leaders unanimously agreed to ensure good behaviour of MPs during the Parliamentary proceedings.

Party Leaders agreed to pay their fullest attention and to stick to the guiding of the Standing Orders on Parliamentary Proceedings. Members of both sides engaged in a heated debate on Thursday.

Following this debate the UNP had requested Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to take stern action to ensure discipline in the House, party sources said.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga said that there were some problems with regard to the behaviour of the MPs belonging to either side of the House. "Everyone at the meeting agreed to look into the matter," he said.

The Government's representatives had also raised concerns about the UNP's protest in the House when the Budget speech was delivered by Acting Finance Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama.