Sunday Times E-Paper

Too much bana and religious lectures in Parliament; Speaker intervenes

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made use of Buddhist stanzas to carry on with their debates in Parliament during the committee stage debate this week.

The President quoted the second stanza of the Parabhava Sutta (Discourse on Downfall) and continued interpreting the Dhamma in his speech, drawing reactions from the Opposition in Parliament.

It continued onto the next day, with Opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa quoting stanzas from the Parabhava Sutta, Vasala Sutta (Discourse on Outcasts) and the Dhammapada.

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha responded to it with a stanza from the Vasala Sutta. However, as Minister Premajayantha and the Opposition Leader argued it out, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena thought it was enough as he was under pressure to keep to the timetable.

He said: “Please that is enough of listening to bana (sermons), get on with the Parliament activities.”

NEWS

en-lk

2022-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytimes.pressreader.com/article/281621014362138

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