SJB boycott of Parliament: Manusha vs. the Chamber

COLOMBO (News 1st); Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarians today (04) decided to refrain from attending Parliamentary sittings until the safety of opposition MP's is assured. A tense situation arose in Parliament today (04) when an exchange of words took place between opposition MP Manusha Nanayakkara and State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, in connection with a scuffle that broke out between Government and Opposition Parliamentarians yesterday (03). The Government had objected to allowing Opposition MPs to speak during the budget debate after 5:00 p.m. yesterday (03), and the matter came up for discussion today as well. The Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella alleged that the Government MP's came over to their side and have attempted to attack Opposition MP's, with actions such as pushing. Kiriella also requested the Speaker to attempt to control the situation, and stated that the Government MPs also asked the Speaker yesterday (03) to not to allow Opposition MPs to speak during the debate. The Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana responding to the allegations stated that such action is completely wrong, to which the Chief Opposition Whip responded stating that the Speaker is being influenced by the Government. Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardana speaking stated that the Opposition members ran towards the Speaker first, and emphasized that it is their duty to support the Speaker in conducting Parliamentary proceedings. SJB MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking at the Parliament stated that the group that once hurled chilli powder is raising its head again, and alleged that the ruling party MPs came and started attacking them initially. Minister Dinesh Gunawardana also speaking stated that if one cannot follow the Speaker's orders, that person will have to face the repercussions of their actions. At this instance, MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that he did not threaten anyone, but simply asked a question, at which point the Chief Government Whip scolded him with foul language and MP Kanchana Wijesekara pushed him aside. "I would have fallen if not for Dr. Harsha de Silva and the Serjeant at Arms," he stated. Chief Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando alleged that the Opposition is behaving like children and requested the Speaker to investigate MP Manusha Nanayakkara. Speaking in Parliament after the lunch break, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said SJB MPs have decided to boycott Parliament, citing the attempt by Government MPs to attack MP Manusha Nanayakkara Moreover, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Manusha Nanayakkara who was accused of leveling threats, convened a media briefing today (04), and alleged that the Government is attempting to pillage the country by moving towards dictatorship and to suppress the Opposition. Challenging the Government to visit villages if possible to ascertain the people's reactions, MP Nanayakkara said that the Government is trying to silence the Opposition to refrain them from informing the people about fraud which the Government is part of.