Speaker urged to summon before Privileges Committee those who filed case against ex-Sports Minister

By Saman Indrajith

Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to summon before the Privileges Committee those who had filed a case against former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe on what he had stated in Parliament.

Kiriella said that the Speaker had powers under the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act to ensure that MPs could not be sued for their remarks in Parliament.Kiriella said that a case had been filed against MP Roshan Ranasinghe over what the latter stated to the House. That was against the law, Kiriella said.

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said as per Sections 3 and 4 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act an MP could not be sued or arrested for remarks made in Parliament. “The Speaker is bound by the duty to protect the MPs powers and privileges. How could a case be filed on what an MP says in parliament,

Premadasa demanded to know from the Speaker.Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that no one could file legal action against an MP for the remarks he makes in Parliament.

He said so in response to a query by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa in Parliament.

“It is clear that no one can sue an MP for comments he makes in the House,” the Speaker said.