VIJAYAKALA UNDER FIRE UPROAR IN HOUSE

SPEECH ON LTTE VIJAYAKALA UNDER FIRE UPROAR IN HOUSE SPEAKER ADJOURNS SESSIONS TILL TODAY

Parliament sessions came to an abrupt end yesterday as a result of the uproar caused by joint opposition MPS, who protested against the statement made by State Minister Wijayakala Maheswaran that LTTE should be re-organized and take control of the North.

JO MPS stormed into the Well of the House when UNP MP S. M. Marikkar questioned the statement made by Ms. Maheswaran. UNP General Secretary and Minister, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam responded saying his party rejected the statement made by her.

JO MP Wimal Weerawansa said Ms. Maheswaran should be removed from Parliament immediately. “The MPS take an oath to reject separatism and terrorism. Ms. Maheswaran has clearly violated the oath taken by her by endorsing terrorism, as she had called for the reorganization of the LTTE. We request the Speaker to take action against her immediately,” he said. MP Dayasiri Jayasekera also

Ms. Maheswaran has clearly violated the oath taken by her by endorsing terrorism, as she had called for the reorganization of the LTTE

made the same request.

The JO MPS then walked into the Well of the House and began a protest. “Agamathita Enna Kiyappiya. Mewata Uttara Denna Kiyapiya” (Ask the Prime Minister to come and respond to our questions) they shouted. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said the leaders of the party to which Ms. Maheswaran belongs, should take action against her. However the opposition MPS kept on shouting slogans and the Speaker then suspended the sessions. The House stayed suspended for ten minutes. The protests continued when the sessions resumed.

The Speaker then announced the decision by him and the Prime Minister to conduct an inquiry on the state minister, but despite the assurance, the protest continued. The Speaker then warned MP Weerawansa that he would have to send him out of the House.“there is a way of doing things. We will conduct an inquiry and take action against the MP,” the Speaker said.“you cannot act as a dictator,” the JO MPS shouted back. “I am not trying to be a dictator. My duty is to conduct the sessions.