Parliamentary sittings suspended for five minutes

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

The Parliamentary sittings were suspended at 3.25 pm for five minutes yesterday when opposition members protested when MP A H M Azwer was proposed to chair the House.

The sittings resumed again at 3.30 pm presided by Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody. The sittings were suspended during the debate on four Bills presented on March 8. While UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake was delivering his speech, MP A H M Azwer's name was proposed to the Chair. MP Karunanayake expressed his objection stating that A H M Azwer's name had been removed from the list of the members' panel to chair the House. However, MP Karunanayake recommencing his speech stated that he respects the decision taken by the Deputy Speaker to protect the Parliamentary tradition.

Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that the parliamentary tradition is not to stand against the Chair. UNP MP Harin Fernando stated that they agreed on a previous occasion not to allow MP Azwer to chair the House. UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that it was a disgrace for them when a person not fitting, coming to chair the House.