Teetering on the brink of a battle in the House :

The ugly brawl

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The brawl in Parliament	Opposition and Government MPs exchange blows and assault UNP MP Harin Fernando in 2012

Parliament is known as the supreme legislature in every country, and it is the responsibility of every people’s representative to uphold its dignity and decorum. The occasional phenomenon of fisticuffs, use of un-parliamentary language and lurid references to the personal lives of members or at times outsiders, has become a new trend to the detriment of democratic parliamentary politics. In post independent Parliament, arguments or disagreements ended up with shaking hands, tendering an open apology or withdrawing the objectionable words in the true spirit of comradeship. The glorious days of NM, Philip, Colvin, Benard, Dudley, JR, SWRD and Keunaman to mention a few stalwarts who conducted themselves as model debaters, despite some of them being adherents of turbulent Marxist politics, are worthwhile recalling, even long after their demise. However, things have radically changed today.

The recent incident in Parliament where two Parliamentarians were suspended for a week has raised concern among the people about the inadequacy of punishment when one considers the gravity of the ‘offence’. Some sections of the media have argued that the publicity given to the incident has made the ‘offenders’, the heroes.

 

Brawls and fisticuffs

The first such incident recorded in the Sri Lankan Parliament was the fight that took place between Philip Gunawardena and Sir John Kotalawala, where the former had attacked the latter on the corridor of Parliament.

In another brawl that broke out in 1956, MP Sir John Kotalawala had lunged forward and pressed Colombo Central member M. S. Themis against a wall for calling him, “Hello John”.

Rambukkana MP and Social Services Minister Ashoka Karunaratna dealt blows on the Walapone MP T. B.M. Herath over some caste-related remarks exchanged in Parliament during the 1965-1970 Government.

Two Ministers of the same Government exchanged fisticuffs in Parliament for the first time in 1974. It took place between Health Minister W. P. G. Ariyadasa and Industries Minister S. K. K. Suriyarachchi. MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara was attacked by a group of MPs including MP Gamini Lokuge when Nanayakkara tried to run away with the Maze and some of these members are still in the current Parliament.

Former Parliamentarian Mervyn Silva and a group of MPs caused serious injuries to Jathika Hela Urumaya MP Ven. Kolonnawe Sumangala thera in the well of the House and it has been the most undesirable incident reported so far.

Parliament suspended the then Deputy Petroleum Industries Minister Sarana Gunawardena for a week for allegedly throwing a bottle of water at the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during a mini-battle in Parliament, while the budget was being presented on November 21, 2011.

Political parties waver

The SLFP sources said the party hierarchy would decide on the disciplinary action of the MP involved in the brawl at the next SLFP Ceneral Committee meeting. However, the party is very serious about this incident.

Meanwhile, the United National Party sources said, subsequent to the incident, no further discussions have been held by the Party on the matter.

Gradual decline of discipline

Former Secretary General of Parliament Nihal Seneviratne told the Sunday Observer that he worked in Parliament for 35 years, but during the last 15 years, the conduct of the Parliamentarians was not as good as it was 20 years before. When I joined in 1960 , the members were more dignified, refined and disciplined. That was 20 years ago, but during the last 15 years of my tenure, there has been a gradual breakdown in values, ethics and morals. But still it did not go down to what it has been in the last 10 days. It is regrettable, but I saw the signs appearing, over the last 15 years, when ethics and dignity were beginning to wane and the members were not willing to conform and abide by parliamentary rules and procedures. Many of them today are not willing to listen to the Speaker. Whatever the Speaker says in Parliament has to be respected. If you disagree with the Speaker, you can bring in a ‘No Confidence Motion’ against him.

But you have to listen to the Speaker. It is very sad that gradually, the conduct of the MPs has begun to deteriorate. My view is that there has to be collective action not only by the Government, but the Opposition as well.

The Prime Minister, Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker must take stock of the situation. It is of no use one blaming each other. All should get together and take serious note of what is happening, and together they can help restore the supremacy of Parliament and see that the rules of the House and its procedures are followed. It may take some time, but is worth sitting down and implementing it for the betterment of Parliament and the country.