INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The motion to suspend State Minister Diana Gamage and SJB MPs Sujith Sanjaya Perera and Rohana Bandara from Parliament for a period of one
month was passed in the House this morning (02 Dec.).Accordingly, the relevant motion was passed by way of a parliamentary vote this
morning, with 57 MPs having voted in favour of the motion, and only one voting against.Three MPs, however, abstained from voting.On 01
to be suspended for one month, for the unruly events that unfolded in parliament in late October.The recommendations were put forward by the
Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera of assaulting her outside the Chamber and called for a comprehensive investigation into the matter
This had prompted the temporary adjournment of the session by Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse.Defending his actions, MP Sujith Perera had
said that he had witnessed Diana Gamage becoming embroiled in a heated argument with his fellow MP Rohana Bandara, and when he had attempted
to intervene, the state minister had attacked him
The SJB parliamentarian said he only acted in self-defence
MP Perera also urged the Deputy Speaker to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter.Meanwhile, MP Rohana Bandara has accused the
State Minister of following him and verbally abusing him near the elevator.Following the conclusion of the parliamentary session, the three
parliamentarians were once again involved in a heated argument, which was captured by MP Perera on his mobile phone and later went viral on
social media.Later, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena appointed a committee to look into the matter
The panel, headed by Deputy Speaker Rajapakse, comprised MP Chamal Rajapaksa, Dr
Ramesh Pathirana, MP Gayantha Karunatilleka and MP Imthiaz Bakeera Markar
Later, MPs Thalatha Atukorale and Dr
Seetha Arambepola too were added to the panel.The report compiled by the said committee was handed over to the Speaker on November 14 which
was forwarded to the Ethics and Privileges Committee the following day.On November 28, the Ethics and Privileges Committee convened a
meeting at the parliament complex to study the report, after which it recommended that three parliamentarians be suspended from the
parliament for one month.
