330 books borrowed by MPs in Parliament, 120 are fiction; Speaker expresses dismay

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Parliament speaker has expressed his dismay over the books being used by the 225 Members of Parliament, adding that over the 330 books borrowed by the MPs, 122 are under the fiction title.

According to the information furnished by the parliament library to the speaker, 330 books were borrowed by the MPs in 2021.

122 of these books are fiction, 94 are on Political Science, 27 are on Sociology, 11 are on Economics, 5 are on Science, 4 are on Law, 3 are Technology, and 1 each on Education and Sinhala Literature, said the Speaker.

"This is embarrassing," said the Speaker noting that the lack of preparation by MPs from both the government and opposition, is a matter of serious concern as important time is being wasted to throw insults are either side.

The Speaker said that false allegations and unparliamentary language are a part of the speeches and statements being made in Parliament for political mileage, rather than on guiding the state.

"This finally escalates to shameful unparliamentary conduct," said the Speaker.

"All members must understand that upholding the dignity of this institution, is the most sacred duty of all of us. If people lose faith in this house, it means they will lose faith in democracy. The repercussions of that will be grave for all political parties and citizens of this country," he further added.

Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told the house of legislature that he has drafted a proposal for discussion to improve the quality of the debates and the conduct of the members of the parliament.