Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has been tasked with discussing the draft Bill on Parliamentarians’ standards with political party leaders and making appropriate amendments in that regard, the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms, President's Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe noted.

However, claiming that the reputation of Parliament cannot be protected only through the enactment of laws, he requested Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to maintain strict control over the discipline of MPs.

In response to a statement made by Chief Opposition Whip and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP attorney Lakshman Kiriella in Parliament yesterday (14), Dr. Rajapakshe said that there were certain provisions in the Soulbury Constitution which resulted in MPs’ losing their Parliamentary seats in cases of conflicts of interest, but that such provisions are yet to be included in the existing Constitution. 

“It is mentioned in the current Constitution that Parliament must pass laws to control the activities of MPs. Almost 45 years have passed since the introduction of the Constitution, but we have not yet passed such a law. Since MPs do not do this (the introduction of laws regarding MPs' discipline) intentionally, the Judiciary decided in some cases that the relevant provision in the Soulbury Constitution is valid under the current Constitution. There have been abolitions of MPs' Parliamentary seats in that manner,” Rajapakshe said.

Considering such issues, he said that the Cabinet of Ministers had granted approval to a draft Bill on MPs' standards, and that Premier Gunawardena had been tasked with discussing it with political party leaders, and making appropriate amendments, if any. However, he said that Parliament's reputation could not be protected only through the enactment of laws. “MPs should have a responsibility and understanding over what they speak about. They should set an example to children who are watching Parliamentary proceedings from the gallery. I also request you (Speaker) to maintain strict control over MPs' discipline.”

Following the incidents of MP Ali Sabri Raheem illegally bringing a consignment of gold and mobile phones into the country, and the controversial incident involving State Minister Diana Gamage and SJB MPs K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera and Rohana Bandara, there had been a discussion in society about the discipline of MPs. It was against that backdrop that Gunawardena and Rajapakshe had recently tabled a joint proposal to establish an independent body to oversee the conduct of MPs, to the Cabinet.