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Independent MP refuses to vacate Opposition Leader’s seat
By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana
Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.
He said tradition is being changed when he was asked to move. Sajith Premadasa who was named Opposition Leader had to sit at the corner of the front row because of Ramanathan's action.
Parliament sources said the matter was reported to Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera but no action could be taken as MPs were allowed to sit wherever they wanted to.
Comments - 43
Comments - Independent MP refuses to vacate Opposition Leader’s seat
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Damith Thursday, 21 November 2024 03:35 PM
First time elected fellow already started showing his colours
20 196
Danny Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:37 PM
No, he was right and given a good lesson to the parliament staffs to do things properly. They should have known that the seat would be taken by the opposition leader and should have put a 'RESERVED' note. After announcing MPs can sit anywhere on the first day and once all seats have been taken, asking them to vacate and go and sit in the back is unfair. Staffs should know that they are going to deal educated MPs this time around.
35 42
Opposition leader seat is important Thursday, 21 November 2024 03:35 PM
Wow, what an imbecile. The opposition leader maybe useless, doesn't mean you don't show respect.
21 234
Danny Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:44 PM
Experienced Sajith must have come early to take his seat as the MPs were told that they can sit anywhere on the first day. Be fair. The issue is Parliamentary staffs got to prepare themself for educated guys as MPs this time. LOL.
16 27
Suhada malli Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:46 PM
Opposition Leader has behaved in a very humble way like how a Japanese gentleman would have behaved. Signs of maturity and education.
5 35
Krish Thursday, 21 November 2024 03:41 PM
Wow. Seriously. This is so petty.
12 205
Law abiding citizen Thursday, 21 November 2024 03:48 PM
He should be referred to a psychiatrist cos this is second incident, at the outset he came out of counting centre in the north and insulted a police officer with foul language….
21 188
jayt Thursday, 21 November 2024 05:40 PM
and today sri lanka would have greatly avoided economic bankruptcy and food shortage also, today These NPPJVP- Jews sponsored government is result dumb mess created by two governments of UNP>SLFP.
23 7
Velautham Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:03 PM
This person is not from the government (NPP) party and who already has more than 15 cases in the Jaffna court.
4 25
roobarbie Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:01 PM
Ramanathan is making a point that praboos are no longer recognized in this country. It is first come first served policy on the first sitting, and this man has exercised his privilege. Does not matter if he is a novice or not. I am with him. Bully for him! time to get rid of feudal mindset from Sri Lanka.
181 70
If not a plot Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:33 PM
Self determination only on the 1st day in parliament I guess, but overall it could have been better if excercised with mutual respect, inside or outside of the parliament.
2 25
If not a plot Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:33 PM
Self determination only on the 1st day in parliament I guess, but overall it could have been better if excercised with mutual respect, inside or outside of the parliament.
1 11
Shehan Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:33 PM
@Roobarbie: What you and this idiot have is what is called a classic case of an inferiority complex. Feeling of hatred towards people you feel are above you
5 18
Dee Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:09 PM
Who voted in these psycho cases? Next they will have protests in the house holding hand drawn placards saying ‘diyawu’ , ‘karapiyawu’ etc! Pathetic start!
40 145
Zaid Aboobucker Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:10 PM
Irrespective of party, Protocol must be observed. Not knowing is one thing but refusing? Pure arrogance!
27 156
Aquarius Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:26 PM
This is the exact behaviour we don't need in parliament. Laws should enacted to reserve the Opposition Leader's seat only to that leader. This type of stupid behaviour should be nipped in the bud.
6 22
Danny Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:26 PM
The parliament staffs must have put a 'RESERVED' note in that seat. When he took the seat, there is no opposition leader and so it is dignity issue. The issue is this time we have lot of educated lots and so, MR era politics won't work any more.
23 12
Dissanayake Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:31 PM
another wrong decision of people.
7 18
Mk Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:35 PM
Why didnt he try that with the goverment side as well?
5 12
Salman Khan Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:36 PM
You cannot change these guys' mentality - We need to adhere to the protocol and tradition. Just Imagine if they had the power to control the country. I see the same thing in my apartment; the majority of them play big mafia with good smiles. Rajapaksa knew this. there means they can act as dictators.
8 11
DOT Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:37 PM
Forgive him! He will learn! He will learn that MP position is NO big great as he was thinking!
7 10
jo Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:39 PM
Don't try to show your colours in where you sit. There are lot more things you will have to do.
2 11
RanjithT Thursday, 21 November 2024 04:59 PM
I quote. "Parliament sources said the matter was reported to Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera but no action could be taken as MPs were allowed to sit wherever they wanted to." Unquote. This looks funny. Does that mean any MP can sit on the seat allocated to PM? What I have heard is that each member is allocated a specific seat. It is clear that where MPs are asked to occupy his seat when addressing. It has nothing to do with the person but the office of the opposition leader must be respected. Speaker has the ultimate power to take action and he must do it. It is not like running trade unions.
3 14
Charles Jansz Thursday, 21 November 2024 05:02 PM
A novice totally unaware of Parliamentary traditions seeking cheap publicity and immaturity showing. Lets certainly hope that all the new faces are not of the same calibre, if not there would have to be another "sharmadana"!
3 20
Mahi Thursday, 21 November 2024 05:09 PM
Nothing wrong with this, today is free day for anyone to sit in any seat in the parliament except speaker's. From next session, he will be seated at the right place.
8 12
BanduXX Thursday, 21 November 2024 05:12 PM
His inferiority complex has got the better of him and may have done this to boost himself as great and boast to his constituents and cut a figure.
5 16
Yohan Thursday, 21 November 2024 05:48 PM
He seems to be suffering from some kind of a health issue. It is time to refer him to a psychiatrist. He should know the process in the parliament. Also heard that he is suspended from working as a Dr and an investigation is ongoing too. So probably the next candidate in that group will have a chance very soon.
9 14
Eardley Charles Thursday, 21 November 2024 05:50 PM
Sorry. I don't understand this? Opposition Leader's Seat?? As per the seating arrangements for today's parliament proceedings, there was no seat allocation. It was specifically said that any MP can sit anywhere he wants to only for today. So what's the ruckus?
12 16
Aram Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:10 PM
Well done Archuna. You bring respect to the voters of Jaffna whom you were selected. Act Well as a law abidding citizen
20 10
Jagath G Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:17 PM
Congratulations to Dr. Archuna for challenging an useless tradition. Bravo.
17 17
Milroy Peter Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:28 PM
No I agree with the mp that seat is not sajith property what happens when sajith dies nobody will seats his chair because it’s traditional his seat that is rubbish these crazy traditions must change yes u can respect opposition leader in a good manner but mp is allowed sit where he wants if sajith wants to sit that chair come early then
16 11
Trump Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:32 PM
Ha ha,,, well needless to say they had not named the seats. infact they should have named it taking into consideration that there are many new people are sitting at the parliament for the first time.
1 13
NV Jen Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:37 PM
Kudos to the people of Jaffna, especially from Chavakachcheri who have voted for this clown while outvoting the well educated likes like Sumanthiran, whose expertise and legal prowess will be missed during the debates on constitution related bills etc.
12 18
NV Jen Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:37 PM
Kudos to the people of Jaffna, especially from Chavakachcheri who have voted for this clown while outvoting the well educated likes like Sumanthiran, whose expertise and legal prowess will be missed during the debates on constitution related bills etc.
10 18
Mohan Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:45 PM
Right or wrong, one thing is clear, this fellow is not bothered about the real problems of the people and instead, wanted to create a scene by not moving. Petty.
8 20
Rip Winkle Thursday, 21 November 2024 06:47 PM
A predominant characteristic of narcissism is attention seeking (regardless if it is negative attention).
7 17
Upulpb Thursday, 21 November 2024 07:10 PM
Understand that this MP has had a showdown with the officials at the counting centre too
3 16
Jay Thursday, 21 November 2024 07:25 PM
He's correct. On the first day they are allowed to sit anywhere and seating will not be allocated. From the next setting they will be given allocations
10 16
Siva Thursday, 21 November 2024 07:36 PM
I think free seating policy should have had clauses for opposition leader, leader of house, Chief Government Whip with identified seats. Then this problem would not have happened. Dr Archuna is technically correct like all Jaffna men (who have a rich british colonial legacy) refer the law or rule for matters. But out of courtesy or good manners he could have moved to another seat.
7 12
Ramesh Thursday, 21 November 2024 07:44 PM
He is making Jaffna voters "proud".
10 17
Jeeves Thursday, 21 November 2024 08:34 PM
A parliamentary seat is not the same as a “first come-basis” of a restaurant or a sun lounger on a beach! There are rules and regulations, including a seating practice, which all ministers should follow.
8 14
BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 21 November 2024 08:52 PM
We saw how these parliamentarians observed the law to the last notch, my foot.
5 9
melville perera Thursday, 21 November 2024 08:47 PM
he should be booed out of parliament
7 16
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