Members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya entered Parliament today wearing an orange sticker calling for an end to violence against women.
MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne said the protest was being held in Parliament today, to mark the start of the International Week for the Prevention of Violence against Women, declared by the United Nations.
The opposition said if the Speaker of House fails to punish Parliamentarian Janaka Tissa Kuttiarachchi over the derogatory statement he made in Parliament against women, the matter will be taken before the international community.
Speaking in Parliament Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Rohini Wijerathna said the education system must be reformed to include the importance of respecting women.
MP Wijerathna said such reforms would have ensured punishment for Parliamentarian Janaka Tissa Kuttiarachchi for his statement and would have discouraged such an incident from occurring in the future.
Joining the debate, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella thanked the Speaker of the House for condemning the actions of MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi and for providing a response to the letter submitted by MP Wijerathna over the violation of Parliamentary Privileges.
MP Kiriella however said they expected some form of punishment to be handed to MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi adding he has never heard such a statement throughout the 33 years of being in Parliament.
MP Kiriella urged the Speaker to not take the situation lightly and to take adequate action reminding the Speaker that today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
He said they will have to take the matter before the international community if the Speaker fails to take necessary action.
Responding to the Chief Opposition Whip, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana claimed he had taken adequate action adding more serious statements were made during the tenure of the previous Parliament.
