Sri Lanka's parliament adjourned for July 20 after disruption

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 08 June 2004, 10:22 GMT]
Speaker Mr.W.J.M.Lokkubandara Tuesday adjourned the Sri Lanka's parliament for July 20 after failing in his attempt to resolve the issue of administering oath to newly nominated parliamentarian JHU parliamentarian Venerable Akmeemana Dayaratna Thera. The Speaker announced his decision to postpone the parliament when it resumed its sitting Tuesday afternoon at about 2.30 p.m, parliamentary sources said.

No decision was taken at the party leaders' meeting, which was summoned by the Speaker following the disruption of the parliamentary proceedings Tuesday morning.

Heated argument ensued between the leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Venerable Sorata Rathana Thera and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Mr.Wimal Weerawanse in the party leaders meeting over the question of administering oaths to a JHU parliamentarian Venerable Akmeemana Dayaratna Thera.

Dayaratna Thera was nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of a dissident MP of the JHU Venerable Kataluwe Ratnaseeha Thera.

The ruling party United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) opposed administering oaths to Venerable Akmeemana Dayaratna Thera as an injunction order served on him by the Colombo District Court from being sworn in as MP till the civil suit filed by the dissident JHU MP Venerable Kataluwe Ratnaseeha Thera is over.

Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said violating the court order would create a constitutional crisis between the Legislature and Judiciary, the sources said.

The parliament will meet on July 20 after the provincial council elections, which are scheduled to be held on July 10, the sources said.