Tense situation in parliament; two MPs removed from Chamber

A tense situation ensued in the parliament this morning (Aug. 23) during the Questions for Oral Answers session, due to a war of words among several MPs.

During the proceedings, MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara directed a question about tamed elephants from Wildlife Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, after which Minister Prasanna Ranatunga raised objections to proceeding with Questions for Oral Answers as the time allocated for the session was dragged out.

Subsequently, MP Shanakiya Rasamanickam directed his question regarding irregularities at the district development committee and divisional development committees in Batticaloa to MP Nalin Bandara.

While MP Nalin Bandara was answering the question raised by MP Rasamanickam, he was accused of speaking off-topic.

Despite this, MP Nalin Bandara continued with his response to the question. A scene of chaos then ensued regardless of the Deputy Speaker repeatedly asking the MPs to act accordingly.

As his requests fell on deaf ears, the Deputy Speaker, adjourning the parliamentary sitting for 10 minutes, also ordered MPs Wasantha Yapa Bandara and Nalin Bandara to be removed from the Chamber for the remainder of today’s sitting due to their unruly behavior which disrupted the orderly conduct of parliamentary proceedings.

However, the parliamentary proceedings resumed as usual under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, after the two MPs moved out of the Chamber.