By Akitha Perera
Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne told the MPs on Wednesday (05)) that no elected representative including ministers and MPs was above the law. He said so following a heated exchange with Jaffna District Independent MP Dr Ramanathan Archuna over a privilege issue related to a traffic incident.
The dispute arose when MP Archuna raised concerns in Parliament regarding an alleged confrontation with traffic police while travelling from Jaffna to Colombo. During his remarks, the MP deviated from his pre-submitted statement, describing the Speaker’s handling of the matter as “shameful” and accusing him of discrimination. His comments drew immediate objections from fellow MPs and a sharp response from the Speaker, who ordered the removal of Archuna’s unauthorised remarks from the official parliamentary record (Hansard).
“Only the privilege issue submitted in writing by Archuna, in its original language (English), will remain on record,” Speaker Wickramaratne declared. He noted that police reports indicated the MP had violated traffic regulations and confirmed that the matter was being addressed through legal procedures. “In Sri Lanka, the law applies equally to all. If any unlawful actions took place, they will be dealt with accordingly,” he asserted.
Archuna maintained that he was “speaking the truth” and rejected accusations of playing political games. The Speaker, however, curtailed further discussion, reiterating that only the MP’s original written submission would be recorded in the Hansard.
The session became increasingly tense as several MPs criticised Archuna’s conduct. Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekara accused him of bringing Parliament into disrepute, alleging that Archuna was using minority grievances to justify his actions. “He claims discrimination, yet he faces none as an MP. His dramatic behaviour and speeches in English indicate deeper problems—he may need psychiatric evaluation,” Jayasekara charged.
Chief Government Whip Minister Bimal Rathnayake linked the controversy to Archuna’s ongoing conflicts with other opposition members. “This has resulted in the Opposition denying him speaking time in Parliament. Now, he misuses privilege issues to gain a platform. It is the Opposition’s responsibility to allocate him time to speak,” Rathnayake said.
Opposition Chief Organiser Gayantha Karunathilaka referred to previous incidents involving Archuna, including confrontations with officials and other MPs. “We have urged him to adhere to parliamentary norms. Until then, granting him a platform will remain a challenge,” Karunathilaka said.
