Speaker says Bribery Commission should inform him before summoning MPs

Wednesday, 22 April 2015 01:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent Stressing the importance of upholding the respect and integrity of the Parliament, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday said that he needed to be informed if any MP was to be summoned to the Bribery Commission for a statement or an inquiry. The Speaker also insisted that the Bribery Commission take strict action to follow its Act and stop releasing information to the media. “When taking action agains

t Members of Parliament all efforts need to be maintained to uphold their respect as well as the respect of this House. I have also mentioned on 3 March 2015 that the Speaker should be informed if an MP is taken into custody. “To explore how to maintain Parliament’s respect, I have summoned the Chairman of the Bribery Commission to Parliament. To continue its work in a manner which will not jeopardise the respect of the members in consideration, their families and Parliament, I have recommended that the Bribery Commission makes use of Section 17 of the Bribery Commission Act. I expect the Bribery Commission to keep the Speaker informed when a member of this House is taken into custody or called to make a statement, selecting a date and place which will suit Parliamentary sittings. I also expect media organisations to be more responsible in terms of the news they publish,” said Rajapaksa. Responding to the privilege matter brought to his notice on Monday by MP Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Rajapakse said: “MP Gunawardena said that without a second thought, or any order, members and their families were being taken in for questioning at the Bribery Commission. Such actions tarnish their respect. He also said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and MP Tissa Attanayake both were being summoned for awarding and accepting a ministerial post in the previous Government. He also said that these were two serious matters and would certainly impact the conduct of Parliament. Members from both sides expressed their views.”