MP Namal Rajapaksa has announced that if the government fails to take action against the misuse of parliamentary privileges to make false statements, he will introduce a private member’s motion to put an end to it.
Speaking to the media following an event in Colombo, he stated that all those who oppose false statements in Parliament would support his proposal.
“There is unlimited lying inside Parliament because MPs have been granted this privilege. It was given to raise public issues, not to spread falsehoods. This needs to change. If it is being misused and the government does not act, I will bring a private member’s motion to change it,” Rajapaksa said.
He further questioned how many of the 225 MPs would oppose lying in Parliament, stating that those who speak the truth do not need such privileges.
“If we speak the truth, we don’t need these privileges. I don’t need them. I don’t say anything in Parliament or outside that I haven’t done or cannot do. I also don’t assassinate another person’s character. Those who mislead the public will oppose this,” he added.
Currently, legal action cannot be taken against statements made within Parliament, as MPs are protected under parliamentary privilege. However, Rajapaksa stressed the need to prevent its misuse for making false accusations or misleading the public. (Islandnews)
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