Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan’s speech was blocked from Parliament’s live broadcast today, following a prior order by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.
As Archchuna began speaking, viewers saw a notice on screen stating, “The live streaming is suspended by order made by the Hon. Speaker on March 19, 2025, against the Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, M.P.”
The Speaker announced that the MP’s live speeches will be suspended for eight parliamentary days, from 20 March to 8 May. This decision was taken due to Archchuna’s repeated derogatory comments aimed at women, individuals outside Parliament, and various communities.
The Speaker criticised Archchuna for failing to follow parliamentary standards, despite being warned several times. He also ordered that Archchuna’s previous offensive remarks be removed from the official Hansard record.
However, the Speaker said he may consider lifting the broadcast suspension if the MP shows proper conduct during the period.
This action comes after Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake called for disciplinary measures, following a recent incident in which Archchuna made a sexually violent remark about human rights lawyer Swasthika Arulingam during a parliamentary session.
