A tense situation arose in Parliament today (20) when Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake attempted to raise an issue regarding his inability to participate in a China‑sponsored economic programme for MPs scheduled for May 5–6, due to a travel ban imposed on him by the court.
Dassanayake told the House that his passport was in court custody and that, despite presenting a motion with a letter from the Parliament Secretary General and an invitation from the Chinese Government, repeated objections by the Bribery Commission had prevented him from travelling.
Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne intervened, stressing that matters before the court cannot be discussed in Parliament. “The court has issued an order. We cannot discuss issues of the court in Parliament,” he said.
Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake also commented that the issue was not a privilege matter, and remains a court issue.
“However, we gave you a chance to speak on it. What you are saying now is against regulations. I request you not to fall victim to other people’s political agendas. You are an accused in the case, there is a court order related to your case, and it cannot be spoken in Parliament,” he added.
A heated exchange thereafter erupted between the MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, Minister Bimal Rathnayake and other MPs in the Chamber. (Newswire)