Parliamentary proceedings temporarily halted

Parliamentary proceedings were suspended for 10 minutes this morning (February 24) following a protest by the members of the opposition.

A heated debate ensued after Minister Dinesh Gunawardena alleged that a parliamentarian of the opposition has brought an unauthorized item into the chamber.

MP Harin Fernando then clarified that the Leader of the House was referring to him being inspected by the security officials at the parliamentary entrance and three torches being found inside his bag. Fernando said he wanted to carry a torch with him in preparation for the power interruptions scheduled for today.

Later, the parliamentarians of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya staged a protest carrying torches, while taking issue with the ongoing power crisis.