Parliamentary Privilege Protects MPs – cannot be sued over statements made in parliament : Speaker
Posted on November 30th, 2023
Courtesy Hiru News
Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has declared that Members of Parliament (MPs) are protected by parliamentary privilege and cannot be sued for the statements they make within the House.
The announcement came in response to a question raised by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa during a parliamentary session.
The clarification follows a recent case filed before the Court of Appeal against former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe. The petition, filed by Attorney-at-Law Dimitri Shiraz Augustus Pietrangeli, alleges contempt of court over a statement made by the Sports Minister,in parliament. The petitioner claims that the statement was prejudicial to the President of the Appeals Court, and that such remarks about judges should not be made as per parliamentary tradition.
The Speaker’s assertion reinforces the principle of parliamentary privilege, protecting MPs from legal action related to their statements made during parliamentary proceedings.