In a recent development, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has taken action to address a serious complaint of assault filed by State Minister Diana Gamage, who alleges that she was attacked by SJB MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera. The Speaker appointed a committee to investigate this matter, consisting of Members of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Gayantha Karunathilake, and Imtiaz Bakeer Markar. Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa will serve as the committee’s chair.
Two additional MPs, Rohana Bandara and Sujith Sanjaya Perera, have also lodged complaints with the Speaker, raising concerns about the incident that reportedly took place within the Parliament premises.
State Minister Diana Gamage made an official statement in Parliament, revealing that she had been assaulted by SJB MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera outside the Parliamentary Chamber. She emphasized the need for a formal investigation into the alleged attack. Gamage expressed her concerns about discipline within the SJB, highlighting that such incidents could tarnish the party’s reputation.
According to Gamage, the assault occurred near the elevator on the lower floor of Parliament, and she classified it as an act of violence against women. She called for a thorough inquiry and legal action against MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera, noting that a lack of discipline is evident in such behavior. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena regarded the incident as a grave matter, prompting a 10-minute adjournment of Parliament proceedings to facilitate the investigation, as per his proposal.”