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Dr. JJ sparks Sabha rumpus

A UNP member of the Ja Ela Pradeshiya Sabha has assaulted the senior most PA member on Friday (26) afternoon for allegedly attempting to counter some remarks made by Rehabilitation Reconstruction and Resettlement Minister, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena at the council sessions on Friday.

The Minister had, according to sources, addressed the PS sessions during the committee stage debate and claimed that he was the first minister do so. Outsiders are allowed to make interventions at the committee stage at the local body in sessions.  Jayawardena has spoken for an hour after which the PA members have been refused time to reply to his remarks.

Jayawardena had criticised The Sunday Leader for allegedly publishing articles defamatory of him and informed the sabha that he has sued the paper for it. The Minister had further claimed that he had requested a Prime Ministerial inquiry into the allegations published and pledged to resign from all positions he currently holds, if allegations are proved correct.

Following his speech, only one PA member had been allowed to speak, that too for two minutes and the members have decided to walk out in protest when PA's Ruben Anthony (63) had been assaulted by UNP member Titus Silva inside the premises, in full view of the Minister and OIC,  Kandana.

Anthony has lodged a police complaint with the Kandana police and was later admitted to Ragama Hospital.

Gampaha District Parliamentarian Felix Perera said that the Minister had no right to deny other members the right to speak and should not have been there on a day when parliament was in session. He also claimed it was the eighth time PA politicians in the area have been attacked by Jayawardena's thugs.

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