Old rules, new problems

Former Secretary General of Parliament Nihal Seneviratne:

Standing Orders of Parliament specify what kind of punishment can be given to MPs who breach the discipline of the House. At present, the Speaker is restricted to implementing Standing Orders. According to the present situation, if an MP breaches the dignity and decorum of the House, the Speaker can order him to leave the Chamber on the same day. Otherwise, the Leader of the House can present a Motion requesting to suspend him from sitting for one week. As a third step, he can be suspended for three weeks.

He said, Standing Orders have been drafted over seven decades ago, under the Donoughmore Constitution. Since then no effort has been made to amend or increase punishment given to MPs who resort to breach of discipline in the House. This has prevented the Speaker from taking any drastic measures against MPs who resort to such behaviour in Parliament.

The behaviour of MPs is not satisfactory when looking at the incidents that have taken place in Parliament recently. I believe the Speaker will consult party leaders and take necessary steps to amend the current Standing Orders.