There was a tense situation in Parliament yesterday morning due to a group of members of the Opposition including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa protesting against a statement made by the Home Affairs State Minister Ashoka Priyantha, against MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne.
They staged a protest at the well of the House demanding action against the State Minister as MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne has been insulted due to the statement made by him.
The group of Opposition members including MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathne, MP Chaminda Wijesiri, MP SM Marikkar, MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha were present in the Well of the House. At this time, a group of Parliament staff including Sergeant-at-Arms, Narendra Fernando, Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Kushan Jayaratne and others were seen standing near the Mace and protecting it.
The problem was created when State Minister Ashoka Priyantha was answering a question raised by an MP. Rohini Kumari Wijeratne regarding pensioners. The State Minister when answering the question said it is a problem as to why MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne is not happy when many problems of the pensioners have been solved and he does not know how to make her happy.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha and MP Chaminda Wijesiri shouted and pointed out to the Deputy Speaker that this statement is a serious insulting statement.
Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa said if something wrong happened to MP Rohini Kumari, that necessary action will be taken.”I have given orders to remove any unnecessary words from the Hansard. When the Speaker comes today, he will make a decision after going through audio tape,”he said.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said that derogatory words should be withdrawn. He made this insult inside Parliament. Ask him to apologise to MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathne.
State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe said the MP stated that she was not happy with the answer given by the State Minister. “The State Minister also said that he does not know how to please her. There is no problem with that dialogue. But as a woman, I also do not agree with the points mentioned after that,” Kumarasinghe said.
State Minister Ashoka Priyantha said that he didn’t say any bad words. I didn’t make any insulting statements against her.
Irangika Range