Parliament proceedings were interrupted today (Oct 06) due to a protest staged by members of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on a matter related to pasture land in Batticaloa.
In September, Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam highlighted the protest carried out by dairy farmers of Mayilathamadu, raising concerns over the illegal settlements in the area.
MP Rasamanickam pointed out that the farmers have been protesting over the alleged illegal settlements in the grazing lands which they have been using for over 60 years, adding that it is also reported that settlers have allegedly illegally occupied these lands, killing cows and setting the lands on fire.
Raising the matter in Parliament via a protest today, several TNA Parliamentarians, including MP Rasamanickam, called on the state authorities to intervene and prevent the destruction of cattle and land in Mayilathamadu.
The protest staged by the TNA MPs intensified as there was no response from the government due to the subject minister being absent from sittings today.
According to Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, a heated argument also broke out between ruling party MPs, including MP Pillayan, and MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam during the protest.
The protest came to an end after Leader of the House MP Susil Premajayantha assured that the matter would be raised with the Minister of Irrigation. (NewsWire)
1/2: Now the TNA created a major stir in @ParliamentLK on a matter related to pasture land in Batticaloa. Got worse with no response from Gov as no responsible minister present to answer the question and MP Pillayan and others attempting to shout @ShanakiyanR down. pic.twitter.com/9PzG2gRMHp
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) October 6, 2023
