Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena disclosed that the Attorney General has advised that Members of Parliament can be suspended for up to three months if found guilty of any offense.
The Speaker made this announcement after seeking the Attorney General's guidance on penalizing MPs for misconduct. According to Speaker Abeywardena, the Attorney General arrived at this conclusion by considering sections 66 and 67 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act No. 21 of 1953, section 16(1) of the Criminal Procedure, and standing orders 77(1), 77(2), and 77(3). As per the Attorney General's recommendation, an MP could face suspension ranging from one to three months if found guilty of an offense.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella responded, stating that the Attorney General has no authority to advise the Speaker. He also questioned why the Speaker did not accept the recommendations of the special committee appointed to investigate the conduct of State Minister Diana Gamage, MPs Rohana Bandara, and Sujith Sanjaya Perera. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa echoed similar concerns.
In response, the Speaker asserted his right to make independent decisions, urging respect for the Speaker's prerogatives.
