• Cites privileges question of Govt. MP being prioritised over Rohini Kavirathna being insulted 

Claiming that a privileges question raised by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government Parliamentarian Attorney Premnath C. Dolawatte has been given priority over a privileges question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Opposition MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna Kavirathna regarding the incident of Leader of the House and Minister of Education Attorney Dr. Susil Premajayantha using an expletive against her in Parliament, SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the same reflects harassment of female MPs through Parliamentary procedures.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday (8), he said: “Kavirathna has submitted a privilege-related question to Parliament regarding this incident. There is the Speaker of the Parliament (Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana), and a female is holding the position of Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament (Kushani Rohanadeera). However, Kavirathna’s privileges-related question has been delayed, and another privileges-related question raised by another MP (Dolawatte) over a court case has been highlighted. This reflects that female MPs, who represent only 5%, are subjected to harassment through Parliamentary procedures. That is clearly harassment. So, let’s put an end to this type of harassment.”

Commenting on Dr. Premajayantha expressing his regret over the incident, which took place on 24 February, he said that the former should apologise to Kavirathna instead of expressing regret. “Dr. Premajayantha expressed his regret about it, but I think that it is not enough. In fact, you (Dr. Premajayantha) should apologise. I never imagined that you would speak in such a way. The terms that were used were very offensive and shameful. Today is International Women’s Day, so it is an ideal day for you to make an apology. It will not make you lose your dignity, but will increase it,” said Premadasa.

On 24 February, Kavirathna was making a statement in Parliament regarding the incident of police officers having attacked and arrested a group of teachers and Buddhist monks who had come to the Education Ministry for an official purpose on 23 February. During her statement, she questioned the lack of action taken by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education to prevent the related incident and the steps Dr. Premajayantha would take regarding the incident.

As Dr. Premajayantha, who stood up to answer her question, was making an explanation, Kavirathna stood up again and spoke. At the time, several Government MPs were interrupting her, in the midst of which she continued to further query Dr. Premajayantha regarding the incident which took place on 23 February. At the time, Dr. Premajayantha was seen criticising Kavirathna using a phrase which included an offensive word.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (7), Dr. Premajayantha expressed his regret over the incident saying: “I would like to mention with utmost respect that I am extremely sorry if anything hurtful to Kavirathna was said during my speech in Parliament on 24 February. I mention that it was not something targeted at her.”