Throwing punches & trading insults Parliament sinks to new low over Bond Commission report
By Methmalie Dissanayake-2018-01-14The very first parliamentary session of the New Year undoubtedly was a reminder of a most famous 'Frank Underwood' quote to fans of American political drama TV series House of Cards: 'If you don't like how the table is set, turn over the table!'
This special parliamentary session was called to take a final decision on the Bond Commission report which was pledged to be placed in the House as the first item of business for the day.
Ravi K's phone
Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, from the beginning of the session was seen busy with his mobile phone. From the time Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced the Bond Commission Report would not be presented to Parliament that day (10)... to when the Leader of the House said that the Government was ready for any kind of debate and the Prime Minister said that he needed to make a special statement and even when the Opposition was vehemently protesting against the PM, Karunanayake did not take his eyes off his mobile phone.
The former minister did not even show any interest to be a part of the brawl between the Government and the Opposition MPs which erupted later in the Chamber.
When the House commenced sittings, Speaker Jayasuriya announced that the Presidential Secretariat had informed him that the Bond Commission report and 34 reports of Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) would be made available to Parliament after one more week.
Secretary to the President had also stated that copies of the Bonds Commission report had been referred to the Attorney General, the Central Bank and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
Kiriella's statement
The argument began between Government ranks and the Opposition when Leader of the House Kiriella provocatively said "It was the JO and SLFP that wanted a debate today. We came prepared but now they are shying away saying they can't have a debate without seeing the report," when it was clear that the special session was convened to present the Bond Commission report in Parliament, after which party leaders were to meet and discuss on the progression of the debate. It was also announced that the Prime Minister would make a special statement.
Opposition ranks protested against Wickremesinghe proceeding with his special statement when the Commission report was in fact not tabled, thus making the House unable to decide on the debate.
The Prime Minister said the Opposition could blame him more after listening to the statement he prepared to deliver. "It is very important to me - delivering this statement. You can blame me more after listening to this," he said. However, the Opposition repeatedly said that they did not come to listen to his statements. Therefore, the PM had to make the statement amid the protests.
Ranil's chant
Joint Opposition (JO) MPs, Udaya Gammanpila and Padma Udayashantha were the first ones who came to the Well. Several JO MPs followed them with placards while shouting slogans such as 'Bank Thief!!' but the PM did not stop making the statement. SLFP MP Namal Rajapaksa also came to the Well but stayed away from the melee. MP Dinesh Gunawardena was also seen with Rajapaksa later.
When the JO MPs tried to grab the Mace, Sergeant-at-Arms Anil Parakrama Samarasekera and his deputy Kushan Jayaratne held the Mace in the bracket. JO MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who ran away with the Mace in 2014, was also seen near the Mace. However, this time he was seemingly trying to control his colleagues from harming the Mace.
When the tense situation seemed to be growing worse, senior members including Dinesh Gunawardena were seen asking the Speaker to suspend the sittings and call a party leaders meeting. However, the Speaker announced the suspension of sittings for ten minutes only after the Prime Minister concluded his special statement which could only be heard through headphones. The PM after reading his statement cheerfully said to the UNP MPs, while swinging his hands dramatically in air "Say this after me... Who is the thief?"
While UNPers screamed 'Mahinda Hora!' JO MPs shouted 'Ranil Hora!'
Sanity prevailed for a moment after Speaker left his Chair and some UNP senior Ministers and JO seniors were seen engaged in casual talk - just like on any other day after a fiery battle.
Marikkar's attack
Things would have remained calm and the 'August Assembly' would not have turned into a virtual battle field had not Marikkar, who earlier escorted a sick Dr. Jayawardena out of the chamber, entered from the Opposition's side to attack Gamini Lokuge.
Lokuge and all his colleagues were caught off-guard when Marikkar who approached the former from behind slapped the senior.
He then ran away from the chamber even before the 'Chataas' sound of the thundering slap could die and JO members could catch him. Lokuge who was in for a shock barely had time to recover from the slap and was getting up from the seat, when Marrikkar's colleague Chaminda Wijesiri punched him in the face. Even though Marikkar ran away, Wijesiri was trapped, as JO members surrounded him from all sides. Seeing his sorry situation, Matale MP Rohini Wijeratne rushed in and held onto Aluthgamage's hand as well as another JO member's hand. However, things were not in her favour as angry MPs started punching each other over her head while, a few JO members who realized it was a woman who had been trapped finally pushed her aside with the help of UNP woman MP Dr. Thusitha Wijemanna.
Sagala's block
While the two main parties were engaged in an ugly brawl, TNA and JVP members became spectators and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan who occupies a front row seat was escorted to a back bench to keep him safe.
The Prime Minister, who would otherwise have left the chambers soon after sessions were suspended on any other day, was present in the chamber and after things seemed to have calmed down, tried to go to the Opposition side to inquire about the situation. He was, however, obstructed by Minister Sagala Ratnayake who was seen giving a firm 'no' to the PM and blocked him from proceeding beyond the front row of the Opposition.
Aftermath
After the brawl, the UNP, SLFP, JO and JVP called media briefings. The UNP and the JO pointed fingers at each other. Marikkar said, 'Lokuge slapped me and I slapped him back. I will never stay without giving a return after taking a slap."
Hector Appuhami and Chaminda Wijesiri said, "We also can fight. But we do not want to fight in Parliament as we did not come here for that. But if they want a fight then we cannot stay back, crossing our arms."
The JO, meanwhile, said that the Government deliberately wanted to start a fight. 'They created this bloody brawl by trying to grab our placards. The Government wants to hide thieves who are behind the Bond Scam," the JO stressed.
JVP lashed out at the Prime Minister and Speaker, saying that they were responsible for the 'unnecessary' clash which erupted in the Chamber.
Addressing the media at the Parliament complex, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said, "During the Party Leaders' meeting held on 9 January, the Government promised to present and table the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating and inquiring into the issuance of Treasury Bonds and the 34 reports prepared by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC), yesterday (13) morning. But they failed to do so. Instead, the Prime Minister tried to use this parliamentary session as an opportunity to make a statement.
"If the Premier and Speaker knew the reports will not be presented today, they should have postponed the parliamentary session. We did not come to listen to statements of the Prime Minister. Therefore, both of them should take the responsibility for that unnecessary clash which erupted in the Chamber," Herath added.
Moreover, JVP MP hit out that the President saying that he should ensure that the Bond Commission report and the other 34 reports are presented to the Parliament as it is Parliament that holds the monetary control of the country. Herath said, "He should present the report to Parliament on time. However, he also failed to deliver on his responsibility."
Herath responded to the Prime Minister's remark that the Bond Commission Report will be presented to Cabinet. When journalists queried about this remark, Herath said that the Bond Commission Report is not an Act or a Gazette notification. "Therefore, it is unnecessary to present the report to the Cabinet. Instead of doing so, the Government should present it to Parliament as the citizenry have a right to know about the contents of report," he added.
