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Violence breaks out inside Parliament
15 Nov, 2018
A clash broke out in Parliament today between MPs from the Government and the opposition.
Parliamentarians from both sides clashed after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa made a special statement.
The United National Party called for a no-confidence vote on the statement made by?Rajapaksa today.
The Speaker then sought Parliament approval to call for a vote by name. However the Government objected and several Government MPs ran towards the Speaker and threatened him.
The Speaker ordered the MPs to return to their seats but they refused to do so and kept verbally abusing the Speaker.
UNP MPs then attempted to protect the Speaker and a clash broke out. Several MPs were seen falling down the stairs during the clash and some sustained injuries.
As the tense situation continued for several minutes a waste paper basket was seen been thrown towards some of the MPs.
Both sides then began to shout slogans in the well of the House during which time the Speaker, Prime Minister and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe left.
Several MPs continued to remain inside Parliament even after the protest ended. (Colombo Gazette)
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