SLPP MP Janaka Thissakuttiarachchi has been warned by Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to refrain from making offensive and sexist remarks towards female Parliamentarians.
The warning was issued during the ongoing Parliament session today, in response to a statement made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kaviratna yesterday.
Making her statement, the female MP had claimed that MP Thissakuttiarachchi had subjected her to verbal sexual harassment during the previous Parliament session.
Tissakuttiarachchi had made sexist remarks against SJB MP Rohini Kaviratna when she had questioned the rapidly increasing prices of essential goods during the budget debate.
Commenting on the matter, the Speaker further said he will be forced to issue a warning under a standing order if such behaviour continues to be repeated in Parliament.
However, the members of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) staged a protest in the centre of the Parliament Chamber against the Speaker’s announcement.
The opposition MPs called on the Speaker to announce a stern decision over the matter.
State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle, expressing support for her fellow female MP, had also condemned the actions of her party MP Janaka Thissakuttiarachchi.
A tense situation erupted in Parliament thereafter, as Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Janaka Thissakuttiarachchi refused to apologize for his actions.
Denying the allegations, he informed Parliament that he is unaware of what sexist remarks he had made towards the female MP.
He further said he cannot take the blame if people are assuming and misinterpreting his words in a wrong or offensive manner. (NewsWire)