The Hindu : International : Row over Sri Lankan MP's arrest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 09, 2004

International

International

Row over Sri Lankan MP's arrest

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, DEC. 8. The Sri Lankan Opposition United National Party (UNP) MPs today stalled Parliament proceedings, demanding the presence of their jailed colleague, S. B. Dissanayake's in the House.

After suspending the proceedings twice, the Speaker, W.J.M. Lokubandara, adjourned the day's sitting two and a half hours ahead of schedule. Parliament, which is discussing the annual budget's Ministerial allocations, passed votes for four Ministries without debate.

The Supreme Court yesterday sentenced Mr. Dissanayake, a former Minister, to two years' rigorous imprisonment for contempt. He was imprisoned at the Welikada Prison in Colombo. The laws prohibit Mr. Dissanayake from contesting elections for seven years after the jail term.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) protested against the approval of the Ministerial expenditures without debate. "If this approach continues, they can bring in and pass any legislation against the Tamils' interest," a TNA MP, Selvam Adaikkalanathan, told The Hindu .

A direct parliamentary confrontation between the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and the UNP appears to be in the offing with a section of ruling party MPs initiating a signature campaign to replace the Speaker, who is from the UNP.

The Constitution does not explicitly mention a procedure for removal of the Speaker.

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