Thewarapperuma brandishes knife in House

UPFA MPS Johnston and Mahindananda were seen trying to stop him

The conduct of some parliamentarians stooped down to such low levels yesterday that, for the first time in history, there were allegations that some UNP MPS smuggled in sharp knives into the Chamber of the House for any untoward action.

The photos went viral on the internet and social media showing UNP MP for the Kalutara district Palitha Thewarapperuma brandishing a knife in an apparent brawl with UPFA MP Prasanna Ranaweera behind the Speaker’s Chair during commotion in the House yesterday.

UPFA MPS Johnston Fernando and Mahindananda Aluthgamage were seen trying to stop him from attempts to strike Mr. Ranaweeera who was also behaving menacingly.

In the past, there were no instances of such sharp tools being brought into the House.

The UPFA charged that the UNP MPS had brought them to create a bloodbath in the House.

Meanwhile Government MP Jayantha Samaraweerra also charged that MP Palitha Thewarapperuma had a knife which he pointed at the government MPS.

Highways and Road Development Minister S.b.dissanayaka yesterday claimed that two former deputy Ministers had brought knives to the House yesterday and the UPFA Parliamentarian Dilum Amunugama was badly injured due to a knife attack. Minister Dissanayaka who is also the Chief Government Whip told reporters at his Ministry yesterday that he was disgusted, disappointed and ashamed of what happened in Parliament yesterday.

However, all these members in the opposition or government are our friends and colleagues despite differences of our political opinions, he said.