Speaker warns Parliamentarians:

No comments on PSC matters outside House

Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna MUDALIGE

Members of Parliament should refrain from making comments outside Parliament in respect of matters before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa warned yesterday.

He warned MPs, when Chief Government Whip, Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena drew the attention of the Speaker to a news item published in a section of the media, which attributed some comments to DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake which violated Parliamentary privileges.

Minister Gunawardena pointed out that the DNA member had disclosed facts discussed at the party leaders’ meeting.

When questioned by the Speaker, MP Dissanayake responded in the positive to a part of the news read by the minister.

"Commenting on matters before the Parliamentary Select Committees is against the Standing Orders and violates Parliamentary Privileges," the Speaker said.

Minister Gunawardena further stated the DNA MP had revealed the facts that were discussed at the Party Leaders Meeting which should not be the practice. He added that the Parliamentarian had made a statement in connection with the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed on the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice.

The Minister said the MP had made statements on the composition of the Parliamentary Select Committee which was decided by the Speaker after having discussions with all Party Leaders. He added that his statements had violated the Parliamentary privileges and privileges of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and the Members. At this stage, the Speaker queried from the DNA MP as to whether he made such a statement.

Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake answered in the positive for the part of the news item read by Minister Gunawardena.

The Speaker observed that one can discuss or make statements on the minutes of a party leaders meeting. He added that it was not suitable for one to make statements or reveal matters discussed at the party leaders meeting other than the minutes. He added that in order to be fair, he invited all Party Leaders to the Party Leaders Meeting to seek their suggestions.

The Speaker also said the composition of this particular Parliamentary Select Committee was decided following discussions with Party Leaders. He added that when appointing members to the Parliamentary Select Committee in a manner to reflect the composition of the House, he considered as that the government had 117 seats,although it has 161, to be extra fair by the Opposition.

The Speaker said it was not fair by the members to criticize such decisions.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa warned the Members in Parliament not to make any comments outside Parliament in connection with matters before the Parliamentary Select Committees.