(COLOMBO) – Lawmakers at Sri Lanka’s Parliament can be suspended for a period three months if they are found guilty of any offence, the country’s Attorney General has informed the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywarden the House was informed on Tuesday.
The AG had responded after the Speaker had sought his urgent advice on the matter following unruly behavior by certain lawmaker across the political divide in recent times that had disrupted sittings.
“The Attorney General had taken the matter citing Sections 66 and 67 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act No. 21 of 1953, Section 16 (1) of the Criminal Procedure and Standing Orders 77(1), 77(2) and 77(3).
As per the conclusion any MP could be suspended for a period ranging from one to three months if found guilty of any offence,” the Speaker announced.
However the AG’s advice came under immediate flak from Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella who claimed that the AG has no right to advise the Speaker.
Leader of the main Samagai Jana Balawega Sajith Premadasa also endorsed the same question raised by Kiriella.
A defiant Speaker said he maintains the right to make his own decisions.
“Kindly respect the rights of the Speaker,” he said.
Over the recent past dozens of MPS have been suspended from the House for unruly behavior that often borders on physical intimidation, obscene language etc. so much so that the public enclosures packed with school children and visitors had have to be evacuated.
