Shadow boxing by MPs; live debate on TV

A heated argument during the 2022 Budget debate between Tamil National Alliance ( TNA) Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and Naseer Ahamed of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress ( SLMC) has resulted in a live debate on a TV channel.

During the Budget debate, the TNA Parliamentarian accused the SLMC Parliamentarian of making "deals" with the Government that were favourable to them personally - not to their community as they occasionally claimed. He asked how they voted with the Government each time when their party leaders were voting against the Government.

Both, the SLMC led by Rauff Hakeem and the Rishard Bathiudeen led All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) are said to have taken legal action against those Parliamentarians, but it turned out to be mere warning letters and nothing more - a farcical exercise.

By attacking the SLMC Parliamentarians who are voting with the Government, Parliamentarian Rasamanickam was winning the support of Muslim youth in his Eastern constituency. Feeling the pressure, the SLMC Parliamentarians have openly claimed in Parliament that Mr Shanakiyan has no moral right to voice concerns of the Muslim community and it should be the role of the Muslim representatives alone.

Earlier this week, Parliamentarian Ahamed issued a statement challenging Parliamentarian Rasamanickam to come for a live debate on the matter. The TNA Parliamentarian has accepted the challenge and the date is to be fixed shortly. Others however felt this was all shadow boxing, like two village thugs who challenge each other for a duel which does not take place.