• Sessions suspended for half hour

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

Parliament sessions were suspended for about half an hour yesterday because of a protest held inside chambers by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) against the power cuts.  The MPs were seen flashing torches and holding placards.

 Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena who raised a point of order, minutes before the protest began requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to carry out an investigation on a situation that had occurred at the Parliament entrance after an MP tried to bring in some object which contained harmful substances. “These objects could be used to prepare some harmful substances. An investigation has to be carried out immediately as the whole Parliament is in danger,” he said. 

SJB MP Harin Fernando who responded said an unwanted fuss had been created after he had carried three torches in his bag. “I brought those because of the power cuts. I cannot go to the toilet to relieve myself in darkness,” he said. SJB MPs then took out torches and placards and began the protest. 

Minister Gunawardena then said the protest should be stopped as it poses a danger. 

The Speaker then suspended the sessions as the SJB MPs would not heed his request. 

• SJB MPs were seen flashing torches and holding placards