The speaker was escorted into the parliament by the police amidst the tense situation which erupted today as well, where ruling party MPs engaged in protests surrounding the speaker’s seat during several occasions.
Previously a party leaders meeting was held under the patronage of the speaker, and minister Dinesh Gunawardena noted that the decision was inconclusive.
However, former leader of the house, Lakshman Kiriella expressing his views to the media following the party leaders meeting noted that it was decided that the no confidence motion against the prime minister would be presented as per the discussions held with the president yesterday.
Even though the parliament was scheduled to reconvene at 1.30 pm today, ruling party MPs engaged in a protest demanding that UNP MPs Palitha Thevarapperuma and Ranjan Ramanayake be arrested for bringing in knives into the parliament yesterday.
Amidst the protests, ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Bandula Gunawardena as well as MP Mahindanada Aluthgamage addressed the house while standing in close proximity to the speaker’s chair.
During this period, Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had occupied the prime minister’s chair, of the ruling party.
A group of police officers entered the chambers around 2.15 pm and the speaker entered the chamber amidst police security.
During his entrance, ruling party MPs hurled various items at the police.
While another group of MPs repositioned the speaker’s chair and the parliamentary administration was compelled to resort to providing seating for the speaker elsewhere.
However, an MP of the ruling party flung the chair at the police while another MP hurled chili powder at the police.
Subsequently while Speaker Karu Jayasuriya addressed the House with the microphone along with the police and parliamentary staff security, the speaker said that standing orders would be withheld and a vote on the no confidence motion would be taken.
While the Opposition MPs voted for the motion, the speaker said that he accepted the vote and that he adjourned parliament till next Monday
Subsequently while the Speaker went out through the door from which he had come in with police protection, there were intermittent clashes between the government and opposition parties.
On this occasion while chillie powder was thrown at MPs Gamini Jayawikrama Perera and Vijitha Herath, MP Vijitha Herath also sustained injury on his forehead.
Parliament police said that as a result of intervening in the clashes seven police officers also sustained minor injuries.