Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne]

¶ 01 Parliament met at 9.30 a.m. Mr. Speaker in the Chair.

¶ 02 ANNOUNCEMENTS

¶ 03 PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS FOR YOUTH: ESTABLISHMENT

¶ 04 With regard to the establishment of a Parliamentary Caucus for Youth for the Tenth Parliament, I wish to inform this House that approval was granted at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on 15th March 2025.

¶ 05 SUSPENSION OF LIVE BROADCAST OF SPEECHES MADE BY HON. (DR.) RAMANATHAN ARCHCHUNA IN PARLIAMENT

¶ 06 I wish to clarify to this House that numerous complaints have been received in various forms regarding distressing situations caused to various persons individually and to different social and public groups, resulting from various controversial and derogatory statements made by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, MP, particularly outside Parliament using social media, employing extremely low-level language against individuals, groups and various organizations.

¶ 07 Various individuals, social organizations, as well as public representatives of both the Government and the Opposition representing this august Assembly, have personally complained to me, expressing their strong displeasure, concern and regret regarding the derogatory, indecent and highly controversial statements aimed by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna at various individuals including women, social groups and religious groups. They have also made numerous requests that, as the Head of this august Assembly, I take appropriate action regarding such conduct.

¶ 08 I express my strong displeasure, as Speaker, over such derogatory statements which, using the privileges enjoyed by a public representative of this Assembly, target persons and groups who cannot come before this House to reply, as well as other public representatives of this Assembly and various external social and religious organizations and public groups, using extremely low-level language that gravely affects their private lives.

¶ 09 I emphasize that such derogatory and indecent statements by a public representative of this Assembly cause a serious blemish and disgrace to the dignity of the institution, and that they inflict grave harm on national unity and reconciliation.

¶ 10 Although on several occasions I have cautioned the said Member in various ways to refrain from making such statements, the Member has completely failed to demonstrate adherence to such advice.

¶ 11 I especially emphasize that these actions are wholly contrary and inconsistent with the provisions of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the provisions of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament, and the long-standing traditions of Parliament.

¶ 12 Having studied in depth and considered the statements repeatedly made by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna and having taken into account the threats posed thereby to national unity and reconciliation, and acting under the powers vested in me under the Standing Orders, I direct that on the eight sitting days of 20 and 21 March 2025, 08, 09 and 10 April 2025 and 06, 07 and 08 May 2025, no statement made in Parliament by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, MP, shall be broadcast live via audio, visual or social media.

¶ 13 Further, as appropriate, any such derogatory, indecent and low-level statements made by the Member shall be expunged from the Hansard.

¶ 14 Moreover, during the period in which live broadcasting is thus suspended, consideration will be given to the content of the Member’s speeches and statements with a view to lifting this temporary suspension.

¶ 15 PAPERS PRESENTED