‘Wijedasa Rajapaksa challenges Parliamentary supremacy’

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

Health Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake yesterday said the supremacy of Parliament has been challenged by filing a case before the Supreme Court against the Speaker’s ruling by Parliamentarian Wijedasa Rajapaksa.

He made this observation in Parliament raising a privilege matter. He said that the Parliamentarians who signed the impeachment motion did it in accordance with the constitution. By his act of filing a case against it, the supremacy of Parliament has been challenged.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa:

I will look into that matter.

John Amarathunga (UNP):

He has acted as the President of the BASL though he is a Parliamentarian. We can’t criticize it.

Sajith Premadasa (UNP):

One has to act in accordance with the principles of natural justice.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa:

When a ruling is delivered by the Speaker, it should not be challenged.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe:

When a motion is moved under the provisions of clause 107 of the constitution, there are measures to be taken by the Media.

Media should not criticize all the Judges, when a motion is moved against one. Criticisms by the media should be prevented. The inquiry is done by Parliament. We don’t need a conflict between Parliament and The Judiciary. Steps should be taken in line with standing order 141. We do not need a conflict with attorneys as well.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa:

The Opposition Leader’s matter will be taken into consideration.

The media should have ethics too.