Speaker’s Office reject’s SJB MP’s allegations over verbal sexual harassment

The Speaker's Office has denied allegations leveled by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna concerning verbal sexual harrasment of SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala. 

Issuing a statement, the Speaker's Office stressed that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana was not the person Chairing proceedings at the time the incident is said to have occurred.

The statement stressed that as such, the Speaker was never a party to the exchange that is said to have occurred.

"When facilities are available to peruse Parliament hansards and visuals of recorded proceedings, the Speaker expressed regret that the MP made such a grossly irresponsible statement that dishonours the office of the Speaker and Parliament, and also misleads the public," the Speaker's Office emphasized. 

Raising an issue of privilege yesterday, Ms Wijerathna alleged that certain government ministers and MPs had subjected SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala to verbal sexual harassment during the debate on the no-confidence motion on Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila.

Ms Wijerathna also alleged that Speaker Abeywardana, who she claimed was in the chair at the time, had not intervened to stop the harassment and had even smiled at the exchange, seemingly enjoying it.