Parliament ends in brawl after MR's speech

Colombo (News 1st) - Todays Parliamentary session ended in an ugly brawl. After much argument between the Speaker and MP Kiriella, the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ordered Mahinda Rajapaksa to make his statement. Addressing the Parliament Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that from a young age he had observed the proceedings of Parliament and it is not because of the Ministerial positions nor the position of the Prime Minister that he joined the Parliament. He stated that the President made a clear statement as to why he dissolved the previous government and appointed a new one. He also went on to state that one reason was due to public distress. He stated that by the powers vested with the President through the Constitution, the President invited him to accept the position of Prime Minister and to form a government. Rajapaksa explained they were the force of the opposition and that they had a responsibility to accept the Presidents' invitation to protect the country from the tragedy which had befallen it. He then stated that they will only run the country as an interim government until another election is held and that, this is the reason only a few members took oaths as Ministers. He noted that when the President, acting within the powers given to him through the constitution, dissolved Parliament and called for an election, for the first time in history, the UNP, JVP and other parties went to the Supreme court, opposing an election.  He stated that is it a breach of fundamental right to oppose an election. He then spoke to the Speaker, stating that he disregarded the constitution by considering a voice vote for the no-confidence motion against him.  He stated that an important decision such as this should not have been passed through a voice vote.  He then stated that it is not up to the Speaker to appoint the cabinet or the Prime Minister. Since there is a conflict of ideas within the Parliamentarians, it is better to allow the public to vote on the decision, Rajapaksa explained. He called on the MP's to set aside the worries of their pensions and to vote for the necessity of an election. MP Lakshman Kiriella after Mahinda Rajapaksa's speech moved to present a motion against his speech stating that they have no confidence in Mahinda Rajapaksa's speech. With this development, a tense situation arose in Parliament and a vote was not taken due to the brawl. The chaos that ensued saw Parliamentarians from both sides rushing towards the Speakers seat. While tensions flared within the Parliamentary chambers, a special unit of the Police Special Taskforce was stationed opposite the Parliamentary complex.