BBC Sinhala article sparks fresh controversy after Parliamentarian Lakmali Hemachandra defended the confidentiality of the Women Parliamentarians’ Forum meeting, rejecting allegations attributed to her and seeking a parliamentary privileges review over the publication. The debate has intensified scrutiny over child protection, media reporting, and the balance between confidentiality and public accountability.
Note :- This article is a direct translation of an article published by BBC Sinhala
Based on the information from the meeting convened on June 5th by the Forum of Women Parliamentarians to “inquire into the progress of the investigation” into the alleged serious abuse of a minor girl by Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, Parliamentarian Lakmali Hemachandra of the National People’s Power made a special statement in Parliament today (June 10) regarding the article published by BBC Sinhala on June 8th.
She also made a request to refer the said article to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.
She delivered part of her speech in English and part in Sinhala.
She began her speech in English. The Sinhala rough translation of the full speech is as follows:
“Honourable Deputy Speaker,
On June 5, 2026, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians convened a discussion regarding a high-profile child abuse case that has recently attracted significant public debate and attention in Anuradhapura.
The purpose of this discussion was to directly engage the relevant state institutions regarding the progress of this case and to ensure, especially, that the child victim receives adequate state support from all authorities.
As a result, the Sri Lanka Police, the Attorney General’s Department, the National Child Protection Authority, and the Probation Department were summoned to Parliament.
It was revealed during that discussion that this child has been identified as a victim in three separate cases being heard against several suspects. Given that situation, it was essential that all state institutions cooperate fully with each other to ensure the child’s safety and to prevent further mental harm to the victim.
Considering that multiple cases are being heard and investigations are still ongoing, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians advised all officials present at the meeting to refrain from expressing any opinion to third parties regarding the content of the discussion.
Given that the victim is a child and that the institutions participating in the discussion are crucial for protecting her rights to privacy, safety, and dignity, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians advised officials not to involve third parties regarding the content of discussions that would prejudice the child’s right to justice and endanger the court or investigation processes.
All parties were informed that any disclosure of information regarding this discussion would lead to a claim of parliamentary privilege against such a breach.
As women parliamentarians, the Forum believes we have a strong responsibility regarding the legal rights of the child, and that this should not be politicized for the advantage of any individual, any political party, or even state officials.
The Forum also observed that information and facts regarding the investigations have already been exposed to outsiders, especially the media.
Parts of this information are fabricated, distorted, or false.
On June 8, 2026, I received a telephone call from a journalist who identified himself as Sampath Dissanayake of the BBC Sinhala service. He inquired about parliamentary matters related to the meeting of the Women Parliamentarians’ Forum held on June 5, 2026.
I informed the journalist that the Forum’s proceedings were confidential and that the parties and participants had been advised not to disclose any information to outsiders.
However, the journalist confirmed that several parties who attended the meeting had discussed its proceedings with outsiders.
He refused to disclose the identity of any source.
Furthermore, on June 8, 2026, the BBC Sinhala service published an article containing false reports about the proceedings of the Women Parliamentarians’ Forum, portraying the Forum’s members and proceedings in a negative light.
Despite the journalist being informed of the confidentiality of the proceedings for the child’s welfare, he or she relied on unverified and malicious information, sabotaging the proceedings before the Forum.
Honourable Deputy Speaker, in the document I am presenting, I have attached that article for the attention of the Honourable Speaker.
This article reduces the proceedings of the Women Parliamentarians’ Forum to gossip and unreliable narratives. It undermines the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the general political representation of women in Parliament.
However, what is more concerning is that even after requesting that outsiders not be involved in parliamentary proceedings regarding a case involving a child, it clearly shows that state officials disregarded confidentiality. All parties who attended the Forum meeting on June 5th are crucial institutions handling cases involving children.
Therefore, falsely representing the proceedings of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians to the media and public is not only a breach of parliamentary privilege but also irresponsible conduct regarding a high-profile child abuse case and a deliberate sabotage of protecting the child’s interests.
In that context, I request the Honourable Deputy Speaker to refer the attached article published by the BBC Sinhala service on June 8, 2026, which has breached parliamentary privilege by violating Sections 5, 6, and 7 of Part A of the Schedule of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.”
Exchange Between the Deputy Speaker and Lakmali Hemachandra
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, interrupting her speech as the time allotted to Parliamentarian Lakmali Hemachandra had exceeded, informed her to conclude her speech and confine herself to the document.
The rough Sinhala translation of the exchange between the Parliamentarian and the Deputy Speaker is as follows:
Deputy Speaker: Honourable Parliamentarian, let us confine ourselves to this document. You have already said more than that.
Lakmali Hemachandra: Honourable Deputy Speaker, please give me a minute because this affects my reputation, and these are matters raised outside Parliament.
Deputy Speaker: I think you have raised sufficient points.
Lakmali Hemachandra: I know, I know. Give me one more minute, Honourable Deputy Speaker.
Deputy Speaker: Well explained.
Lakmali Hemachandra: I know, Honourable Deputy Speaker… give me one more minute. Please, one more minute, Honourable Deputy Speaker. I have not disrupted parliamentary proceedings before. This is a serious matter involving a child, Honourable Deputy Speaker, please give me one more minute.
Remarks Made in Sinhala
Meanwhile, after speaking in English, she expressed her views in Sinhala regarding certain facts in the article published by the BBC Sinhala service. The full speech is as follows:
“Honourable Deputy Speaker, regarding the discussion that has arisen concerning this article, I wish to record in Parliament at this moment exactly which facts in this article are false. It states that I claimed that the Director of Legal Enforcement of the National Child Protection Authority demoralized investigating officers by making remarks criticizing the police investigation. That is false.
It states that I claimed that there is no fault in arresting the suspect within a short period like a month. That is false.
It states that I said that the Director of Legal Enforcement of the National Child Protection Authority was questioned on what basis she stated that they had to ‘carry a stick behind the police’. That is false.
Honourable Deputy Speaker, similarly, my attention was drawn today to a document issued by the Free Media Movement dated 2026.06.10. I will briefly state what is in that document. It says that the BBC Sinhala website reported that Parliamentarian Lakmali Hemachandra, who made accusatory remarks regarding the functioning of the National Child Protection Authority, stated during the relevant meeting that she would take action under parliamentary privilege against those who disclosed information to the media regarding this matter. Yes, that is true. During that meeting, we very clearly stated that this matter concerns a child, therefore it needs to be conducted confidentially, and accordingly, confidentiality needs to be protected. Because we know that matters concerning children are kept confidential when investigated within the court or police.
It definitely says that against this backdrop, which should be condemned in a civilized society, the proposal to summon persons who provide information to journalists before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee should be strongly condemned.
I want to clarify. The reason the Forum of Women Parliamentarians told officials to protect confidentiality during this meeting was because there are three cases involving a child, and the Forum considered it extremely important to protect confidentiality when inquiring into related matters. Not once, even though we have been slandered, even though we have been insulted, have we ever raised issues regarding privilege. Therefore, it is necessary to state very clearly, Honourable Deputy Speaker, that when it comes to a matter involving a child, we all have a responsibility to protect confidentiality. Accordingly, we held the discussion with them hoping that they would act accordingly. So, if that has been breached, we wish to express our very serious regret regarding that.”
The Deputy Speaker stated that it would be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
