Violence erupts in Sri Lankan parliament as country's PM faces no-confidence motion

Supporters of under-pressure Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa hurled books and chairs towards some of his opponents.

Friday 16 November 2018 17:48, UK

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Chairs hurled at speaker in Sri Lankan parliament
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Chaos has erupted in the Sri Lankan parliament after a no-confidence motion in the prime minister led to violent attacks by his loyal backers on those who wish to oust him.

In scenes that made the dramatic goings-on in Westminster seem positively quaint, supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa hurled books and chairs towards Speaker Karu Jayasuriya as he tried to reach his seat.

Mr Jayasuriya required a police escort to get into the chamber, with several officers among those injured as the unorthodox missiles were launched in his direction.

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Sri Lankan MPs involved in mass brawl

Opposition MPs were also among those hurt before proceedings got under way, which eventually saw the parliament pass a no-confidence motion in Mr Rajapaksa for a second time.

The prime minister has refused to accept the result of the vote and insists the speaker has no authority to remove him from his position.

Sri Lankan police (R) gather to escort parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya in the assembly hall as rival legislators (L) occupy the speaker's seat in Colombo on November 16, 2018. - Sri Lanka's parliamentary speaker required police protection as violence returned to the legislature for a second day November 16, with rival factions in the island's constitutional crisis showing no signs of backing down. A group of legislators occupied speaker Karu Jayasuriya's chair for 50 minutes and he was only a
Image: The Speaker needed protection to reach his seat

Those loyal to Mr Rajapaksa continued to heckle and hurl abuse at the speaker as he left the chamber afterwards, but the hostile atmosphere is unlikely to deter efforts to remove him from office.

He has only been in the job since 26 October after his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe was sacked by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisenadue due to a disagreement over economic reforms.

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Sri Lankan police try to take their positions to escort parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya into the assembly hall in Colombo on November 16, 2018. - Sri Lanka's parliamentary speaker required police protection as violence returned to the legislature for a second day November 16, with rival factions in the island's constitutional crisis showing no signs of backing down. A group of legislators occupied speaker Karu Jayasuriya's chair for 50 minutes and he was only able to take his seat after he en
Image: Sri Lankan police escort parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya into the assembly hall

The president also accused him and another cabinet member of plotting to assassinate him.

Mr Wickremesinghe denied the allegation and maintained he still had the support of a majority in parliament.

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The president held an emergency meeting with opposition leaders that voted for the no-confidence motion after the violence broke out in parliament - but it will likely prove ineffective.

He had hoped Mr Rajapaksa would prove a popular appointment. The under-pressure prime minister is considered a hero by some in the ethnic Sinhalese majority for ending a long civil war against Tamil Tiger rebels during his time as president.

But his reign was also marred by allegations of wartime atrocities, corruption and nepotism.

He and the current president both insist that he will remain in office.

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