The Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga quoting late Dr. Colvin R. de Silva said the latter called Independent MPs as “three headed donkeys.”
Minister Ranatunga made this observation when Prof.G.L. Peiris raised concerns in the House for not allocating time for the 13 Independent MPs.
Minister Ranatunga noted, “All the MPs in the House has the freedom of speech. There is the government side and the Opposition side. There is no room for an Independent side. If that is the case, maybe we need to place some chairs in the middle of the Chamber for them to sit. If that happens, we will not follow the Westminster tradition anymore. It will become a three headed system. Dr. Colvin R. de Silva called the Independent MPs ‘three headed donkeys’. Yes, they too have freedom of speech. But who gives them time? The government side or the Opposition? We are ready to allocate time, but would the Opposition do the same?” In reply Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said that the time should be allotted from the party the MPs got elected.
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