Vasu’s Foul Language Condemned
By Waruni Karunarathne
The use of foul language in Parliament by Vasudeva Nanayakkara last week has drawn condemnation, especially since school children were present in the gallery at the time.
Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said that if there had been any unparliamentary use of language in parliament, it can be expunged from the Hansard.
He added that when occasionally such language is used in parliament by any member, it has been the practice in the parliament to remove that from the Hansard.
“Parliament is the place that represents people of this country. It is up to the parliamentarians to conduct themselves in a manner in which people approve of their conduct,” Weerakkody said.
He added that it also applies to the parties that provoke other parties and members who provoke other members. “I also believe that the members should be responsible in expressing their opinion even though they get provoked by other people,” he said. Vasudeva Nanayakkara had last week used foul language on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe when the Prime Minister attempted to prevent Nanayakkara from raising a point of order during Parliament proceedings.