Parliament heats up over tear gassing of protesters, delay in NCM debate

• Two SJB MPs attempt to remove Mace and get into scuffle with Parliament officials
• Serjeant-at-Arms takes tumble in effort to hang on to Mace
• SJB MPs accost Speaker in his room demanding early date for NCM debate, actions against Police for using force against protesting students
• Speaker says he will seek report from IGP and promise early date for debate
• House adjourns till 17 May

Parliament adjourned abruptly yesterday amidst heated scenes inside the Chamber with SJB MPs Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando trying to remove the Mace.

The scenes erupted when SJB MP Heshan Vitanage was in the Chair when the two SJB MPs began voicing their anger against the use of tear gas and water cannons against protestors near the roundabout leading to Parliament and calling for an early date to debate the two No-Confidence Motions they have handed over against the President and the Government.

In the scramble to safeguard the Mace, Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando took a tumble though he managed to hang on to the Mace.

If the Mace is removed from its bracket and taken out of the Chamber, the House is automatically adjourned for the day.

MP Hairn Fernando said the attack on the students was a shameless act and condemned it. “We request the Speaker make a statement to the House on these attacks on the protestors as well as tell us when the NCMs will be taken up for debate,” he said.

He also threatened to lock up the Speaker in his room until their demands are met.

MP Nanayakkara said they want the House convened next week to take up the debate.

Amidst the melee, sittings were suspended by Vitanage following which a group of SJB MPs went into Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s room and questioned him about the tear gas attacks against the protestors.

They also sought an early date for the NCMs to be debated.

The House reconvened with the Speaker in the Chair and he informed he would seek a report from the IGP regarding the use of force against the protesters by the Police.

“I express my sadness at the incident outside the Parliament. We urge the protesters to be peaceful and restrained while expressing themselves. I will request the IGP to submit a report on the incident,” he said.

He also said an early date would be discussed to debate the NCMs.

The Parliament business committee will meet on Monday to decide on a date. The scheduled date for the next meeting is 17 May but the House can meet earlier if the Prime Minister makes a request from the Speaker to summon the House. (CK)