Heated Clash in Parliament as Speaker Blocks Questions of Privilege
A tense situation erupted in Parliament after Speaker refused to allow five questions of privilege presented by opposition MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith P. Perera, and two others on the same issue.
Defying the Speaker’s decision, Dayasiri Jayasekara stood up and declared, “Speaker, whether you allow it or not, I will present the question of privilege,” before proceeding to read it aloud. Ajith P. Perera and Ravi Karunanayake followed suit, partially reading the content despite the Speaker’s ruling.
This sparked a heated verbal clash between government and opposition members. Amid the uproar, Dayasiri Jayasekara threatened to take the matter to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), warning that MPs blacklisted by the IPU could lose privileges such as foreign travel. The government appeared to momentarily step back in response.
However, Bimal Ratnayake countered, stating, “If you are going to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, we will also go.” This led to another verbal exchange, with Ajith P. Perera reacting loudly and Bimal Ratnayake retorting, “I will sit down while I speak.”
As tensions escalated, heated arguments continued between government and opposition MPs, further intensifying the parliamentary session.
