Govt to establish independent body to oversee conduct of MPs

Following recent unruly events that unfolded in the parliament, the government has decided to establish an independent body to oversee the conduct of Members of Parliament (MPs).

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe have tabled a joint proposal in this regard at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (Oct. 23).

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers gave the nod to obtain the views of the Speaker and leaders of political parties representing the parliament on the basic draft bill for setting up of a code of conduct for MPs and appointing a panel to oversee.

Cabinet approval was also given to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill after taking into account the views of the Speaker and political party leaders.

It is reported that President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who presided over Monday meeting of Cabinet of Ministers, has rebuked the unruly behaviour of MPs.

This comes after the recent intense war of words and claims of alleged assaults involving State Minister Diana Gamage, and SJB MPs Sujith Sanjaya Perera and Rohana Bandara.

Meanwhile, the committee appointed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to look into last week’s tense situation at the parliamentary premises is scheduled to convene tomorrow (Oct. 25) at 11:00 a.m. The committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse, consists of MPs Chamal Rajapaksa, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Gayantha Karunatilleka and Imthiaz Bakeer Markar.