News, Top Story

Speaker tells two Ministers to mind their own business

19 Oct, 2023

Feature Image

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told two Ministers to mind their own business when they attempted to intervene after he instructed Minister Tiran Alles to respond to a question in Parliament today.

Opposition MP Ajith Mannapperuma had raised a question in Parliament today just when question time was about to end and some Ministers were seen telling Alles no to respond.

A heated exchange ensued between the Government and opposition while the Speaker kept calling on the Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles to respond to the question.

“This is not related to the two Ministers. Please sit down. Don’t try to create unnecessary problems,” the Speaker was heard telling two Ministers who were not captured on camera.

The Speaker continued to instruct Minister Tiran Alles to respond to the question, but he refused to do so on the advice of other Ministers.

A tense situation arose with opposition MPs gathering at the well of the House and Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced that Minister Tiran Alles has refused to respond to the question.

Parliament sessions were later suspended for 10 minutes after MP Ajith Mannapperuma attempted to grab the Parliament Mace.

School children who were in the gallery at the time were also seen leaving the premises. (Colombo Gazette)

Recommended For You

Feature Image

UK unveils reforms to simply imports from countries like Sri Lanka

The UK government unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries like Sri Lanka. Upgrades to the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) make it easier for businesses to trade with the UK and help lower prices on the UK high street. The changes, announced as part of the UK’s wider Trade for Development offer, aim to support economic growth in partner countries including Sri Lanka while helping UK businesses and consumers access high-quality, affordable goods.  T

11 Jul, 2025

Feature Image

Sri Lanka to continue talks as US tariff cut seen as ‘good start’

Sri Lanka expects to continue negotiations with the US after President Donald Trump’s decision to reduce tariffs on the island nation is seen as a “good start” by Colombo which had primarily negotiated to preserve its competitive advantage, Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma said Thursday (July 10). US President Donald Trump imposed a 30 per cent levy on goods from Sri Lanka after the July 9 deadline passed without a deal in place. The new tariff is lower than the earlier 44 per cent imp

10 Jul, 2025

Feature Image

UK prepared to offer technical expertise to probe Sri Lanka mass grave

The United Kingdom is prepared to offer technical assistance to investigate the Chemmani mass grave, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. David Lammy said the British Government had raised concerns over the mass grave with the Sri Lankan Government. Responding to a question raised by UK MP Uma Kumaran before the UK Foreign Affairs Committee, David Lammy said that he has very grave concerns regarding the mass grave. He said the concerns were raised with the Sri Lankan Government in June. Ov

10 Jul, 2025