Parliament

VAT debate blown away amidst blows
By Dilrukshi Handunnetti, our Lobby Correspondent

We have had raucous behaviour in Parliament and verbal onslaughts that could shame many. But they have rarely developed into physical blows. Last Wednesday a sad day for democracy with legislators relying on muscle power to show their strength. Besides the appalling behaviour, it was also a indictment on democracy when the government found an easy escape route to pass the important VAT bill without debate.

Trouble began when Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakshe stood to make a special statement regarding a certain Cabinet minister's alleged reference to a special handbag with micro recording abilities, purchased by the President . While government members interrupted Minister Rajapakse, UNP's Olitha Premathiratne advanced towards the isle carrying Chitra Manthilake's black handbag, providing light relief to an otherwise disgraceful scenario.

Up jumped ministers Rajitha Senaratne and S.B. Dissanayake in protest with their arms flaying, which was matched by an equally vociferous opposition response that drowned the statement. Mr. Rajapakshe sought an apology from the unnamed minister for insulting the twice-elected Executive President and the head of the very Cabinet.

Amidst shouting from both sides, opposition members converged onto the isle, the more vociferous ones holding a banner right across the opposition benches. It read: "Ravi Hora- parlimenthuwen elavamu". Another read, " Hal Hora- parlimenthuwen elawamu". Amidst thunderous shouting, attempts made by some to point out that individual members could not be insulted in that manner,were of no avail.

Dilan Perera, Amhindananda Aluthgamage, Janaka Tenankoon and Jagath Pushpakumara shouted slogans condemning minister Ravi Karunanayake and demanding his immediate removal from the Cabinet.

Amidst the shouting and plethora of abusive words, reminiscent of the Pettah fish market, Finance Minister K.N. Choksy quietly began his presentation of the much-criticized VAT bill.

The only one who seemed to be interested in hearing him out was chief government whip Mahinda Samarasinghe. The opposition, unhappy when the government ignored their cries of protest, began a new chorus of " No to VAT". " Me jarawa aparatata epa" shrieked the vociferous PA backbenchers led by boisterous Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

A helpless Speaker, asked whether it was not enough. But the opposition intent on exercising their vocal chords, shouted themselves horse, and advanced towards the Chair. The Speaker stood his ground and government legislators rushed to the middle, with government legislators Mahinda Ratnathileke and Olitha Premathiratne delivering the first blows to the shouting opposition legislators.

Soon, the House turned into a battlefield with members freely exchanging blows. The police hurriedly removed the school children 'keenly watching their representative at work' from the public galleries. JVP's Chandrasena Marasinghe, PA's Bharatha Premachandra and UNP's Mahindananda Aluthgamage played prominent roles in the battlefield.

At one point UNP's Chitra Manthilake rushed towards the isle to grab Aluthgamage's collar,while Bharatha Premachandra, with his white sarong raised high, returned a kick to Mahinda Ratnathilake who attacked opposition members with sweeping shots. Olitha Premathiratne came a close second with in his prowess to kick, scratch and punch.

The more peaceful UNPers rushed to the 'fighting arena' to restrain their less refined colleagues, which resulted in the likes of Mahinda Samarasinghe and Sajith Premadasa getting pushed aside by their own members.

The chaos grew as angry opposition members flung their documents and books towards government benches, and the PA experienced an equally ferocious response. Amidst all this sat opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakshe in stony silence, while all attempts by Mahinda Samarasinghe to quell the growing violence proved futile.

Amidst this rowdy , noisy scenes, the Speaker read out a list of names of opposition members billed to speak on the VAT bill. No one paid attention to his calling at the end of which, Speaker Joseph Michael Perera quite arbitrarily passed the VAT sans a debate. After calling the names, he swiftly moved for the committee stage, and a bill that was meant for two days of intense debate was passed within seconds.

This led to more noise and name calling, and the Speaker mobbed by the opposition immediately sought refuge in an indefinite suspension of sittings, that added to the chaos.

The sergeant-at-arms rushed towards the mace, and held onto it while PA members surrounded the Speaker's chair demanding as to why he moved to the committe stage.

Amidst the furor, the Speaker was escorted outside, and democracy once again took a beating with legislators displaying lowly conduct and the country's new taxation bill being hoisted upon the public without a word being said about it in the House.

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