A minute’s silence resonated through Sri Lanka’s Parliament yesterday as lawmakers marked the one-year anniversary of the assassination of former Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakirthi Athukorala. The gesture followed a request by Podujana Peramuna Gampaha District MP Nimal Lanza and was supported by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
During the parliamentary session, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga highlighted the importance of democracy and credited President Ranil Wickremesinghe for its preservation. He condemned the incident that occurred on 9th of May last year, referring to it as a series of politically motivated acts. Mr. Ranatunga expressed dismay over the loss of an elected representative and stressed the significance of safeguarding Parliament from such threats.
Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe also addressed the assembly, commending the timely intervention of security forces on the fateful day.
Mr. Rajapakshe emphasized the crucial role played by the Defense Secretary in averting further violence and expressed gratitude for preventing the destruction of Parliament members’ homes.
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