Parliament report on brawl : 59 MPs accused of committing offences ; 54 representing SLFP

The report which was complied by a special committee that was appointed to probe the recent violence in Parliament has listed the names of 59 parliamentarians who had committed offences.

Vandalising of property within the chamber, throwing chillie powder, threatening the Speaker and attacking police officers were some of the offences that were said to have been committed by these MPs.

The report was submitted before Parliament yesterday (Feb 22).

It is recorded that 54 MPs representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) had engaged in such acts - the highest of all political parties. Allegations in the report have also been levelled against one Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and four United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians over their involvement in the parliament unrest.

MP Johnston Fernando topped the list of the higest number of charges levelled against him as he was accused of committing 16 offences. Gampaha district parliamentarian Prasanna Ranawaeera had 12 charges levelled against him.

According to the report, 10 charges were levelled against MP Wimal Weerawangsa while nine charges each were levelled against MPs Padma Udayashantha Gunasekara, Priyankara Jayaratne, and Indika Anurudda.

Further, eight charges were levelled against MP S.M. Chandrasena while MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage was charged on seven counts.