Chaos in parliament over PCoI report; session adjourned for brief moment

Colombo (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Parliament was adjourned for a short period on Wednesday (21) morning following heated exchanges between the government and the opposition.

An argument broke out in the house when opposition MP Lakshman Kiriella said it was the opposition that called for a debate on the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Political Victimization and, therefore it is the opposition that needs to open the debate. However, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament that at the Party Leaders meeting it was decided that the ruling faction will produce the report first and then proceed with the debate. Dinesh Gunawardena said supporters and associates of the ruling party were subject to political victimization and the present opposition worked on seeking revenge from them. However, Kiriella said it is the present Chief Justice and Attorney General that filed action mentioned the PCoI report. The argument took a tense turn when opposition lawmaker Nalin Bandara slammed the government for showing a lack of interest in the PCoI report on the 2019 April Attacks, while showing keen interest in the PCoI report on Political Victimization. "If there were proper interest on the report by the PCoI on the 2019 April 21st Attacks, the real perpetrators and killers could have been identified," said the MP. Chaos ensued in Parliament thereafter, forcing the speaker to adjourn the session for a short period. Footage shared by opposition MPs on Facebook showed MPs from both sides in the well of the house in a heated confrontation.