CHAOS has erupted in Sri Lanka’s parliament as legislators supporting disputed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa threw books and chairs to try to block proceedings a day after a brawl between rivals worsened political turmoil in the nation.
Police who escorted speaker Karu Jayasuriya into the chamber held boards around him to protect him from being hit by the angry Rajapaksa loyalists, who did not allow him to sit in the speaker’s chair. Jayasuriya conducted proceedings while standing on the floor of parliament, which for the second time passed a no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa and his government. Jayasuriya then adjourned the house until Monday.
Rajapaksa loyalists continued to hurl abuse at Jayasuriya until he left the chamber. Arundika Fernando, a legislator allied with Rajapaksa, sat in the speaker’s chair while others shouted slogans.
Opposition member R Sampathan accused Rajapaksa loyalists of preventing a roll-call vote on the motion, as requested by President Maithripala Sirisena.
On Thursday, Sirisena held an emergency meeting with the leaders of opposition parties that voted for the first no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa.
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