Parliament, Jan 09 - The Attorney General has informed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that Members of Parliament can be suspended for a maximum of three months if they are found guilty of any offence.

Speaker Abeywardena announced that the Attorney General had come up with this conclusion after he had sought his advice on penalizing MPs for wrongdoings.

“The Attorney General has come up with this conclusion after 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 conclusion by the Attorney General any MP could be suspended for a period ranging from one to three months if found guilty of any offence,” the Speaker announced.

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella who responded said the Attorney General has no right to advise the Speaker. Also, he questioned why the recommendations made by the special committee which was appointed to look into the conduct of State Minister Diana Gamage, MPs Rohana Bandara and Sujith Sanjaya Perera were not accepted by the Speaker. 

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa also raised the same question.

The Speaker who responded said he has the right to make his own decisions. 

“Kindly respect the rights of the Speaker,” he said.