Committee to probe Parliament clash

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today appointed a Committee to probe the altercation inside parliament between governemnt and opposition members in which several MPs are said to have been injured and one of them hospitalized.

The MP injured was Sandeep Samarasinghe of the UNP.

The incident took place when the issue of the withdrawal of the military security provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and replacing them with police security was being discussed.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe initially explained the government's position regarding the security arrangements.   The Prime Minister subsequently said Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka will be able to explain better regarding the aspects of security.

Field Marshal Fonseka then went on to explain on how his security was withdrawn and alleged that some of the army personnel who were providing security to Mr Rajapaksa were not trained in providing VIP security.

He said that Mr Rajapaksa who is now only a MP should be satisfied with his security and as a former Army Commander who defeated the LTTE he only had 20 guards as against 200 security personnel to the ex-President.

As he continued with the statement, amidst interruptions from pro-Rajapaksa opposition MP's some of the UNP members formed a protective ring around him.

Thereafter both, government and opposition members exchanged blows in which several MPs are said to have been injured.

Mr Jayasuriya,  adjourned Parliament and summoned a party leaders meeting.

The Speaker who resumed sittings said he had appointed a committee headed by Deputy Speaker Tilanga Sumathipala to look into the matter and report back to him. ''After the report is received a decision will be taken regarding the action against the MPs involved in the incident', he said.

Parliament was adjourned until tomorrow afternoon.