Tense situation in Parliament
A tense situation broke out in Parliament this morning when Speaker of House Karu Jayasuriya called for a No-Confidence Motion pertaining to the statement made by Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The House convened at 10am with the Speaker claiming that a Prime Minister, Leader of the House or a Chief Government Whip will not be recognised in Parliament today, as the No-Confidence Motion against Mahinda Rajapaksa was passed in the Parliament yesterday.
The Speaker then called for Mahinda Rajapaksa to deliver his statement as a Member of Parliament.
In his statement Mahinda Rajapaksa explained the reasons behind President Maithripala Sirisena appointing him as the Prime Minister.
Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa in his speech also said that the prices of fuel will be reduced further tonight.
United National Party Parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella then tabling a point of order called for a vote on Mahinda Rajapaksa’s statement, claiming the House has no faith in him.
He called for a vote to be called by name. When Speaker Karu Jayasuriya called for the opinion of the House on the matter a tense situation broke out.
United People’s Freedom Alliance MPs rounded up on Speaker Jayasuriya with United National Party MPs also taking the floor to prevent any untoward actions. A clash also broke out between the MPs during this time.
Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and several MPs have left the Parliament chamber as the tense situation continues to prevail.
Several MPs including UPFA Parliamentarian Dilum Amunugama were injured during the tense situation in Parliament a while ago.
They had been taken to medical center in Parliament.
UPDATE: The Office of the Speaker has announced that the Parliament has been adjourned until the 21st of November.
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The Speaker should have suspended Parliament before it descended into chaos.It was shameful, vulgar and disgraceful, and a very bad example to our younger generation. We elect politicians to Parliament to behave in a civilised manner always in Parliament and not behave like rowdies and thugs. The Speaker is seen not to take any notice of the chaos in the video. He is either incompetent or partisan and appears unfit for purpose as stressed by Prime Minister MR. A SLFP MP has even been injured, so we know who the thugs were !!!
Of course Michael,
We have been telling this for over 30 years during the so-called war.
The Sinhala Buddhists are incapable of ruling this country in a just manner.
No wonder we were seeking a Separate State and continue to live that dream.
Mr Somasundaram, your comments are rather baffling !! Have you forgotten something so soon !! You supported thuggery of a megalomaniac Tamil who killed his own people for nearly three decades !!! But, Mr Somasundaram you are perfectly entitled to DREAM ON !!!!