Young MP warned by Speaker- Colleagues claim must learn decorum

COLOMBO (News 1st); Some Parliamentarians are still learning and should be allowed to have enough time to mature themselves, says Minister of Lands, S.M. Chandrasena, in connection with the warning issued to SLPP MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi with regard to the statements he made during the debate on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill at the Parliament. Speaking during a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) press conference held today (26), the Minister stated that he believes that the young MPs are still learning to speak at the Parliament, and what they need is time. " Although there are few shortcomings, we can't really blame them. They will correct themselves in the future," he mentioned. Emphasizing that not all the 225 members of the Parliament are the same, Minister Chandrasena alleged that there are certain MPs who have done worse at the Opposition. Pointing out that such behavior is normal in Parliaments such as India and Brazil, the MP said that such events should not occur in the future. MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi was given a stern warning by the Speaker on Tuesday (23) for his comments about women. Yet, MP Kuttiarachchi, reiterated that his recent speech only referred to vegetables and stressed he never verbally harassed any woman in his comments. "I only spoke of vegetables and I do not know what they refer to as profanity," he said.