Parliament heated up due to Chaminda

A tense situation arose in Parliament today (03) following the decision to suspend the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff, Attorney Chaminda Kularatne. Opposition MPs continuously protested in the House, stating that the investigation process against the said official was highly unfair.

A group of opposition MPs stood up from their seats and requested permission to comment on the matter, but the Speaker did not grant it, further intensifying the tension in the House.

Speaking on the occasion, Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara pointed out that never in the history of Parliament has such a conflict arisen between the Speaker and the Secretary-General's office. The MP recalled that he had worked with about ten distinguished Speakers and that the Secretary-General's office is a great support in conducting the House proceedings. He emphasized that this removal occurred against the backdrop of the relevant Secretary having filed a complaint against the Speaker with the Bribery Commission, and that this is a very dangerous precedent detrimental to the dignity of Parliament.

The MP pointed out that it is a serious problem that the Speaker himself submitted the complaint to the Staff Advisory Council and also appointed the head overseeing the investigation. Mr. Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that the accused official was not given an opportunity to explain or defend himself, and that information has been received about preparations to call for a disciplinary inquiry against the Secretary-General as well. He proposed that an independent committee should be appointed regarding this incident.

Responding to these allegations, Government Chief Whip Nalinda Jayatissa stated that protecting the independence of Parliament is a responsibility entrusted to both the Speaker and the Secretary-General's office. The MP pointed out that the Staff Advisory Council is the authoritative body that makes decisions in such matters, and further stated that the relevant decision was made by that committee, which also represents opposition MPs.