Opposition members, led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, walked out of Parliament today in protest over reduced speaking time for opposition MPs.
Premadasa accused Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne of favouring the ruling party by limiting the time allocated to opposition speakers.
Tensions rose when opposition members requested time to speak on the Iran-Israel conflict and its impact on Sri Lanka.
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa assured the protesting MPs that the issue will be taken up at the time of adjournment, adding that the Foreign Ministry will be issuing a statement in the evening.
However, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged that the Speaker denied the Opposition Whip the opportunity to speak, adding that he was denied his right to speech.
“We no longer approve of your conduct in this House,” Premadasa said, adding that if the Speaker continues to treat the opposition this manner, its members will be compelled to leave the House.
Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake denied the allegations and said the opposition leader bears greater responsibility for monitoring the unacceptable behaviour of certain opposition members.
Opposition MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said he chose to remain in the House and participate in the debate as a representative of his party. He added that the government must take responsibility for the opposition’s boycott, citing repeated incidents where the right to speak had been restricted. (Newswire)