Dayasiri and Ajith tried to carry away the mace, heating up Parliament (video)

A tense situation erupted in the Parliament chamber this morning (23) due to the government's refusal to agree to an urgent debate requested by the opposition regarding issues in the judicial sector. During this, Ajith P.

Perera and Dayasiri Jayasekara, along with several other opposition MPs, attempted to snatch the Mace of Parliament. However, Parliament security officials, including Sergeant-at-Arms Kushan Jayaratne, immediately intervened and thwarted the attempt.

This unrestful atmosphere was created after a petition signed by a group of opposition MPs, emphasizing the need for parliamentary intervention to find urgent solutions to the structural problems arising in the judicial sector, was handed over to the Speaker this morning. During the session, opposition MP Ajith P. Perera requested the Speaker to hold an urgent debate in the House on this matter. At that moment, about 20 other opposition MPs simultaneously stood up from their seats, demanding that the request be granted.

Regarding this request from the opposition, the Speaker inquired about the government's stance, and the Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake, stated that the government did not agree to hold the debate. However, the Leader of the House further mentioned that if there was a need, the government was ready to go for a vote in the House on the matter. As opposition MPs strongly protested and began shouting in response to the government's reaction, a heated exchange of words and a clash of opinions arose between MPs from both sides.

Due to this altercation and strong protest between government and opposition MPs, the proceedings of the House were severely disrupted. Accordingly, to control this highly tense and unrestful situation that erupted in the chamber and to calm the situation, the Speaker took steps to temporarily adjourn the parliamentary session for 10 minutes.

Watch the video related to this incident ›