Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala has refuted reports of government ministers and deputy ministers using Parliamentary privileges as mentioned in the circular of the previous government, clarifying that several privileges have been minimised.

Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Wijepala revealed that a fuel allowance of 2,250 litres granted for three vehicles under the previous government has been reduced to 900 litres by the current government.

He further said that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had over 50 advisors, while the incumbent government has appointed only two advisors. 

Minister Ananda Wijepala reiterated that no minister or deputy minister of the current government has received privileges per the circular that had been issued by the former government.

He made the remarks in response to a statement made by the opposition MP D.V. Chanaka. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa today questioned the summoning of Neth FM journalists before the Parliament Privileges Committee over allegations raised by Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Bandula Gunawardena. 

A complaint has been filed by the Minister, accusing that his Parliamentary privileges have been violated due to an alleged false news report that had been published by Neth Fm and several other local media. 

Accordingly, Neth FM journalists have been summoned before the Parliament Privileges Committee today for an inquiry into the matter. 

Condemning the move, MP Premadasa told Parliament that it was a breach of media freedom.

He further called on the Prime Minister to intervene and prevent such action being taken against journalists. 

Commenting on Minister Bandula Gunawardena’s complaint, Neth FM has responded stating that the views shared during the broadcast was that of a trade union leader and are not that of the media institution or its journalists. (NewsWire)

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The BAR Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns over what it says is the growing trend of Parliamentarians exploiting their Parliamentary privileges for making statements in Parliament for matters which are sub judice. 

In a statement, the BASL highlighted that a statement made by MP Sarath Weerasekera in Parliament, on 07 July 2023 was an unfounded, brazen attack on the judiciary and the social fabric of the country.

Pointing out that the recent trend of pressure being exerted on the judiciary would potentially threaten and undermine these important principles, the BASL states it is of the view that the judiciary should be allowed to operate free from external pressure, threats or any interference for a vibrant democracy to exist.

Full statement: 

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Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has called for an investigation against certain media reports that he claims have violated his Parliamentary privileges.

In a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has requested for an investigation to be conducted on the matter via the Parliamentary Privileges Committee. 

Taking to Twitter, Minister Wijesekera further stated that he has urged the Speaker to summon before the Parliament Privileges Committee the relevant personnel and media organizations involved in making and publishing false statements.

The MP has accused a local media institution, consisting of a newspaper and television channel, of having violated his Parliamentary Privileges by publishing false news related to the issuing of fuel stations to foreign entities entering Sri Lanka’s retail fuel market.

He has also accused several online news websites of sharing and circulating false information pertaining to him on social media platforms. (NewsWire) 

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