PUNCH-UP IN PARLIAMENT

Sri Lankan MPs get physical a day after lawmakers vote ‘purported’ PM out of office

SRI Lanka’s Parliament descended into chaos yesterday with members of Parliament swinging punches and throwing projectiles a day after legislators voted the “purported” prime minister out of office.

Meanwhile, police said tens of thousands of people took part in a rally here in support of Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose sacking as prime minister plunged the Indian Ocean nation into turmoil.

“It was difficult to make out immediately who was hitting whom. Several were hurt, but not seriously,” an official said.

“The speaker adjourned the House till tomorrow (today).”

The official said an MP from toppled prime minister Mahinda Rajapakse’s party injured himself trying to rip out the speaker’s microphone and had to be taken to hospital.

Sri Lanka has endured nearly three weeks of crisis after President Maithripala Sirisena fired Wickremesinghe as prime minister and replaced him with Rajapakse on Oct 26.

Two weeks later, Sirisena dissolved Parliament and called snap elections for January. However, these moves were suspended by the Supreme Court on Tuesday pending an investigation.

Parliament reconvened on Wednesday and lawmakers approved a motion of no-confidence in what they called Rajapakse’s “purported” cabinet, also passing motions declaring Sirisena’s moves illegal.

Yesterday’s parliament session, the first since Rajapakse and his disputed administration were deposed, began with the speaker announcing that the country had no government.

“As of now, there is no prime minister, no cabinet ministers and no government in Sri Lanka,” said Karu Jayasuriya, wearing his black and gold robe.

“I do not recognise anyone as prime minister.”

The vote ousting Rajapakse, a divisive former president and political bruiser, and the Supreme Court’s rulings were a major boost to Wickremesinghe.

Addressing Parliament yesterday as an ordinary member, Rajapakse asked the house to end the crisis by holding an election.