2026-02-18 / debate: Special Commodity Levy Act Order, Customs Ordinance Resolution, Motor Traffic Act Regulations
Hon. M.A.M. Thahir
2026-02-18
Hon. Mujibur Rahuman directed remarks at the Speaker regarding the management of parliamentary order, alleging that the Chair was failing to adequately control a government member and was showing deference toward him. He warned the ruling party against attempting to silence the Opposition or diminish the status of the Leader of the Opposition. Rahuman reminded the government that electoral mandates are not permanent, citing the example of the previous administration's rise and fall between 2019 and 2021 as a cautionary precedent.
Therefore we ask the Speaker to control him. If he cannot be controlled, let the Speaker sit here as a Member. You take the Chair. You control it better; you have that strength. The moment he stands up and you look at his face, you change—like he is your father.
We clearly say: do not constantly accuse the Opposition and try to silence us and belittle the Leader of the Opposition. Remember, the people’s mandate is not something carved in stone. It changes. Your lot came to power in 2019 jumping up and down. What happened? In two years, you had to go. Remember that well. Even your Chief Organizer like Johnston Fernando climbed on chairs and shouted. It is always like that; nothing new.