Minister Harin Fernando has accused Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella of violating his Parliamentary privileges via his recent statement concerning the ongoing case filed by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) against two party members who had crossed over to the government.

A heated exchange of words took place between Minister Harin Fernando and MP Lakshman Kiriella in Parliament today over the matter.

Addressing the Parliament, Minister Fernando raised concerns over MP Kiriella’s statement about the judicial proceedings concerning the case filed against the two party members who had crossed over to the government.

In his statement, MP Kiriella claimed that out of the three-judge bench hearing the case, two have written their verdicts, while one judge is yet to write down his verdict, urging the judges to announce their decisions without delay.

Raising the matter in Parliament, Minister Harin Fernando inquired how MP Kiriella was aware that two of the justices had written down their verdicts, while one judge’s decision was pending.

Questioning if the MP and the judges were in contact over the proceedings of an ongoing case, Minister Fernando pointed out that it was a violation of his Parliamentary privileges.

He further called on the Parliament to appoint a select- committee to investigate how MP Kiriella had obtained such information and if the information was being shared between the two parties in violation of his Parliamentary privileges.

Responding to the minister, MP Kiriella revealed that he had only urged the judiciary to fast-track the announcement of the verdict related to the case.

He further said that speaking of a delay in a court case was not a breach of Parliamentary Privilege and that MPs and the general public could voice their opinions to question the delay in court verdicts.