Jan 19, Colombo: Only a handful of parliamentarians in Sri Lanka seem to be preparing for their speeches using the library and most MPs are not prepared for their speeches resulting in insult and false allegations, the Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said today.
The Speaker noted that during the year 2021 only 330 books had been borrowed by the MPs from the Parliament library and of the books, 122 are under the fiction category, 94 on political science, 27 on sociology, and only 11 on economics.
Speaking at the new parliament session of the year, the Speaker said as year 2022 marks a new beginning, he feels it is appropriate to change some things as well.
Recalling how he learned the facts when he entered Parliament, the Speaker said he spent weeks preparing, using the library, reading the speeches of the late Gamini Dissanayake, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Lalith Athulathmudali, and listening to those speeches.
“As new members, we wanted to make a good impression in the chamber. Because otherwise it would be a big embarrassment,” he said.
He said the supremacy of Parliament has been damaged in the past due to insulting remarks and false allegations and that it is the responsibility of all Members of this House to protect the dignity and honor of Parliament. He called on all parliamentarians to help him rebuild the image of parliament.
Wishing all the members a free, healthy and productive New Year, the Speaker reminded that the, last year was a “very challenging year for all of us.”
“We have been able to hold sessions on important issues for the country and pass the budget for the year 2022 in line with our responsibilities, despite the fact that Parliament has been affected by the Covid situation that has engulfed the entire world.,” he said.
The Speaker expressed appreciation to all the Members of Parliament, all the staff including the Secretary General of Parliament, the Serjeant-at-Arms, the security forces, the health authorities and all those who helped to keep the Parliament functioning successfully during a challenging year.