State Minister Sanath Nishantha has been suspended from parliament for a period of two weeks due to his unruly behaviour inside the Chambers yesterday (21).
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena communicated this announcement to the Members of Parliament after the Third Reading or the Committee Stage debate on the 2024 Budget began this morning.
Abeywardena said he vehemently deplores the tense situation that ensued during Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
The situation flared when Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised questions about the individuals including the Rajapaksa brothers who were held responsible by the Supreme Court for the economic crisis facing the country, several SLPP MPs including State Minister Sanath Nishantha had disrupted his speech and surrounded his seat, creating a ruckus within the chamber.
Due to the heated argument within the chamber, the Speaker suspended the parliamentary session and walked out of the Chamber.
State Minister Nishantha was also accused of snatching the opposition leader’s folder containing official documents during the commotion.
Meanwhile, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella has requested the Speaker to take disciplinary action against the group of parliamentarians who interrupted Premadasa during his speech.
