Chaminda Wijesiri Criticizes Speaker's Conduct in Parliament

09-Jun-2025

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During the parliamentary session held on Jun 6  tensions flared when Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Chaminda Wijesiri strongly criticized Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, accusing him of acting in an authoritarian manner.

“Do not act like a dictator under the pretext of regulating Parliament,” Wijesiri stated. “Even former Speakers have not demonstrated such overt bias.”

The incident occurred during the oral questions session, when opposition members raised objections to a statement by Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake, who asserted that questions beyond the listed agenda could not be entertained.

Referring to Section 92 of the Standing Orders, MP Wijesiri argued, “Members are entitled to raise supplementary questions related to any departments and institutions under a ministry’s purview.”

In response, the Speaker cited a different provision of the Standing Orders and objected to Wijesiri’s interpretation. When Wijesiri sought to continue his remarks, the Speaker denied him permission to proceed.

MP Wijesiri further alleged, “The House is being conducted in a partisan manner. The Speaker is unilaterally imposing rules and acting as though he holds absolute authority—something none of his predecessors have done.”

Addressing the House, the Speaker responded, “First, study the Standing Orders at home. It is concerning that even long-serving members are unaware of these provisions,” clearly directing his remarks at MP Wijesiri.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the opposition and the Speaker’s chair over procedural interpretations and the perceived fairness in managing parliamentary affairs.