Sri Lanka Parliament passes 2nd no-confidence motion against new govt
Parliamentarians slug it out with chilli powder, chairs, copies of constitution-
AMN / AGENCIES / COLOMBO
Sri Lanka Parliament today passeed another no-confidence motion against new government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa.
For the first time in Sri Lanka’s history Speaker Karu Jayasuriya entered the floor of the House protected behind dozens of police officials as MPs from Mr Rajapaksa side disrupted the house and delayed the proceedings.
The session was delayed for over 30 minutes as government MPs had begun a protest surrounding the Speaker’s chair and an MP occupying the Speaker’s seat.
They had begun the protest, calling for the immediate arrest of two MPs from the United National Party (UNP), for bringing in knives into the Parliament a day earlier.
President Maithripala Sirisena, issuing a statement on his official Twitter account urged all parliamentarians to uphold the principles of democracy and parliamentary traditions at all times.
He also said he will not prorogue Parliament under any circumstances.
Ousted Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said they have the majority and can form government.
PARLIAMENTARY BRAWL- Clashes took place in Sri Lanka's Parliament as MPs attempted to disrupt a no-confidence motion – throwing books, chilli powder and water bottles at the House Speaker; Sri Lanka is embroiled in a political crisis where neither side can agree on a leader (PTV) pic.twitter.com/yPJ8N0zkyP
— Kevz Politics (@KevzPolitics) November 16, 2018
He also termed today’s events as not merely a disruption of the House, but an attempt to destroy parliamentary democracy.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the current crisis couldn’t be settled in Parliament. Instead of trying to resolve the problem there, the warring parties should seek a fresh mandate from the people, he added.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the current crisis couldn’t be settled in Parliament. Instead of trying to resolve the problem there, the warring parties should seek a fresh mandate from the people, he added.
Rjapaksa said: “The President has explained why he dismissed the previous government and appointed an interim government until the conclusion of the next general election. By the 26th of October, the people of this country were living under enormous pressure”.
UNP MP Gamini Jayawickrama and JVP MP Vijitha Herath attacked with chillie powder mixed water', Vijitha Herath has minor injuries after attacked by a Constitution book, several police officers also injured pic.twitter.com/WeAS2yuT1c
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) November 16, 2018