Zacki Jabbar
The assault of UNP MPs, inside the parliamentary chamber, by some government MPs yesterday, reflected the dictatorship that had been foisted on the people by the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, John Ameratunga MP said.
Addressing a news conference in Colombo, Ameratunga said that he, Karu Jayasuriya, Anoma Gamage, Harin Fernando and several other opposition legislators had protested peacefully in Parliament against the government’s undemocratic acts including the harassment and imprisonment of Retired General Sarath Fonseka, enactment of unethical and unfair legislation to acquire profitable enterprises and the skyrocketing cost of living, when a group of ruling party MPs had pushed and assaulted them.
He said that the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had also been kicked on his leg.
It was a sad day for democracy because the rough house tactics employed by the Rajapaksa regime, was displayed within the hallowed precincts of parliament and proved that the law and order situation was deteriorating rapidly into anarchy, Ameratunga observed.
Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe said that thuggery should not be tolerated at any cost, adding that the UNP was willing to support what was good, but unfortunately the government’s policies, including the budget, had not provided any relief for the masses.
Jayalath Jayawardena MP, said that he had been stopped by security personnel at the entrance to the member’s chamber in parliament and prevented from carrying any documents with him.
General Secretary Tissa Attanayake had also been checked and denied permission to carry the files in his possession. The denial of their parliamentary privileges would be brought to the notice of the Inter Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, he said.
Dayasiri Jayasekera MP, said that it was a disgrace to see ruling party MPs assault opposition legislators in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the only conclusion that can be drawn was that the President condoned such actions.
IS