Speaker forced to suspend sittings for ten minutes

by Saman Indrajith

Parliament sittings were suspended for ten minutes following a tense situation that prevailed after SJB MP Harin Fernando bringing in three torches to the chamber as a sign of protest against the government’s failure to control power cuts.

Leader of the House Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena raising a point of order soon after Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa started making a special statement, said that an Opposition MP had brought unapproved equipment to Parliament. “When the Police detected the torches the MPs’ entrance, there was an argument. This cannot be accepted because taking such things into the House puts everyone’s safety in jeopardy. Therefore, I urge the Speaker to look into this matter and take immediate action,” Minister Gunawardena said.

SJB MP Fernando stood up and showed a torch he had brought into the Chamber.

“The Leader of the House is speaking about the torches I brought. Actually, there are three torches in my bag. There are power cuts everywhere in the country. That is why I brought these torches, because if electricity is gone in Parliament we will need light. I cannot go to the lavatory in darkness.”

The SJB MPs who had arrived in the Chamber with stickers pasted on their attire stating that ‘Anduren Eliyata’ (out of the darkness) and ‘Sir Failed’ stood up and shouted slogans

Minister Gunawardena expressed his strong opposition to MP Fernando bringing torches into the Chamber.

Minister Gunawardena: “This is highly dangerous and not my personal problem. This is an illegal activity. The Speaker should commence a probe into that. Those who are smiling now are the ones who carried out Easter Sunday terror attacks.”

The SJB MPs then started to protest by taking out torches and holding placards. They shouted slogans against the government. Although the Speaker repeatedly requested them to sit down and let the Opposition Leader make his statement, the MPs continued the protest.

The Speaker: “This is sad. The intention behind bringing torches into the House is not clear. If your protest is over, then you should sit down and let the Opposition Leader to speak. If you do not, we have to move to another question.”

After a few minutes, the Speaker adjourned the sittings for 10 minutes.