2026-02-19 / Ministerial Statement and Standing Order 27(2) Answer: Governor Appointment Procedures 2026-02-19
Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a question of privilege concerning the unauthorised recording and dissemination of a private conversation he had with the Leader of the Opposition within the Chamber on 18 February 2026. He alleged that a government member recorded the exchange on a mobile phone and that the footage was subsequently broadcast on Capital TV and circulated on social media in a manner he described as degrading and politically motivated. Citing the Standing Orders and the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, he argued that such recording and dissemination outside official parliamentary channels constitutes a serious breach of privilege, and requested that Chamber camera footage be reviewed and the matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Privilege: Release of video recording of conversation with Leader of the Opposition in the Chamber.
Hon. Speaker, my question of privilege relates to the Standing Orders and the Code of Conduct for Members. Matters that occur within the Chamber or relate to parliamentary business should not be recorded and disseminated by any means other than through the official parliamentary channels; to do so breaches the Standing Orders and the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Yesterday, 18.02.2026, while I, a Member of the Opposition and a party leader in the Opposition, was conversing with the Hon. Leader of the Opposition within the Chamber, a video was recorded on a mobile phone from the Government side and broadcast on a private channel, Capital TV, mischaracterizing me. This constitutes a serious breach of privilege. I state with responsibility that this video must have been recorded by a Government Member and was spread on social media in a degrading manner for political gain. Such acts bring disrepute to the Chair and to this august House. I humbly request that the Chamber cameras be reviewed, and that this matter be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.