Parliamentary proceedings disrupted second day

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 June 2005, 10:15 GMT]
Sri Lanka's parliament proceedings were disrupted again Wednesday when Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians protested that they cannot accept the statement Government of Sri Lanka made in the House on the pull out of additional troops deployed in Trincomalee town after the unlawful erection of a Buddha statue in the heart of town, sources said.

TNA parliamentarians continued their protest Wednesday condemning the failure of the assurance made by the government that the additional troops deployed in Trincomalee town would be withdrawn immediately.

TNA protest Tuesday brought the proceedings in parliament to a halt twice. Later the TNA abandoned their protest on an assurance that the government would make a statement on the pull out of troops on Wednesday, sources said

Mr.Dilan Perera, Deputy Minister made a special statement on behalf of the Government on the Trincomalee situation and about the withdrawal of additional troops from the east port town soon after the commencement of the parliament as promised on Tuesday.

He said the ministerial committee appointed by the President under the leadership of Minister Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena would visit Trincomalee on June 14th to hold further talks with the parties concerned on the controversial Buddha statue issue.

Mr.Dilan Perera added the President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge has appointed a special official to monitor the development on the Trincomalee situation.

Mr.Dilan Perera said additional troops have been deployed in Trincomalee to ensure security to all communities. Troops would be withdrawn once normalcy returns in the town.

Thereafter TNA parliamentarians shouted that the government's statement could not be accepted and disrupted the proceedings. The Speaker adjourned the sitting for about fifteen minutes. When the House resumed TNA MPs continued their protest.

Minister Mr.Dinesh Gunawardene requested the Speaker to summon a meeting of party leaders in his chamber.

Speaker Mr.W.M.J.Lokkubandara then adjourned the House and held party leaders meeting. When the House resumed the Deputy Minister Mr.Dilan Perera informed the House that additional troops deployed in Trincomalee town would be pulled out gradually. Thereafter the proceedings continued, parliamentary sources said.