Pandemonium in Parliament over Jaffna incidents

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 November 2004, 10:19 GMT]
Pandemonium reigned in the Sri Lankan Parliament as government MPs attempted to shout down the leader of the Tamil National Alliance, Mr. R. Sampanthan who wanted to make statement on the killings and unrest in Jaffna. Sittings were suspended for several minutes when TNA MPs gathered in the well of the house and shouted slogans agains the Sri Lankan government. "Don't kill Tamils, We will establish Eelam (separate Tamil state), End military occupation of the Tamil homeland", the TNA Parliamentarians chanted standing in the midst of the well.

The Tamil MPs returned to their seats after Speaker Mr. W. J. M Lokubandara spoke to them in his room and promised to bring the matter to the government's attention immediately.

The pandemonium started when JVP strongman Mr. Wimal Weerawansa objected to Mr. Sampanthan making a statement on the troubles in Jaffna.