Misconduct results in suspension of seven MPs from Parliament in 2023

In a situation where public notion is created against the conduct of Parliamentarians, Parliamentary services of seven Members of Parliament in the ninth Parliament were suspended due to their misconduct within the year 2023.

Two opposition MPs Nalin Bandara Jayamaha and Wasantha Yapa Bandara were suspended from sessions on August 23, 2023, after an uproar which flared up in Parliament.

The two MPs were suspended for rushing towards the chair and shouting at Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa while banging the table where the Deputy Speaker was sitting.

In another incident, SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma was suspended for four weeks on October 19, 2023, as per Standing Order 77(3) for grabbing the mace in Parliament during a protest against the curtailment of time allocated for the MPs’ questions.

Meanwhile, State Minister Diana Gamage, SJB MPs Rohana Bandara and Sujith Sanjaya Perera were suspended from Parliament for a month for brawling near the MPs' library.

In another incident, parliamentary attendance of Ali Sabri Raheem was suspended for a period of one month over the gold smuggling case.

The suspension was imposed in terms of the recommendations of the report which was presented to Parliament on 24 January 2024 by the Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges Chamal Rajapaksa.