A dialogue within society has surfaced with the opportunity afforded to view Parliamentary debates live. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa endowed this privilege to the nation recently.
Should this decision taken purely on behalf of the people be reconsidered as a result of the behaviour of certain Parliamentarians? The dialogue taking place in various sectors is being presented to society for it to decide.
The Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thera said that even in the past it was mentioned in the media that discipline had waned in Parliament and it was not suitable to view the debates. If the public receive an opportunity to view live proceedings they would think that discipline should prevail high in this supreme body. The prelate said that he considered it is proper to give an opportunity for the people to view the live proceedings.
Veteran journalist Edwin Ariyadasa pointed out that as media freedom was used in the country, the Speaker has provided a good opportunity for the MPs to learn at the supreme body where laws and regulations are being enacted. Maintenance of discipline by the Parliamentarians is vital. He believed that the Parliamentarians would properly use this TV freedom in a better way.
UNP Parliamentarian Harsha de Silva was of the view that this is a good opportunity for the Parliamentarians to study as to what they should speak in Parliament. The public need to know as to what the MPs talk about them, how their problems are being presented in the House and how the Government as well as the opposition was talking about them. He said this was democracy. This would be an impetus to engage in a better debate sans mud slinging. He pledged his full support to this exercise.
Freedom Alliance Parliamentarian Shantha Bandara referred to the responsibility of every Parliamentarian when the proceedings are given live. If not, the Speaker also recently announced that they would have to think twice about this process. As such they are most likely to be deprived of this opportunity. He announced that every MP should act with responsibility
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