Members of the UNP held a candlelight protest, calling on the government to scrap the recent electricity tariff increases, forcing the sitting to be adjourned.
TNA MPs MA Sumanthiran and S Yogeshwaran also supported the opposition in their protest.
While UNP and other opposition members shouted slogans, members of the ruling coalition threw water bottles at them, reported The Island:
“One of the bottles hurled by MP Ratwatte hit MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who advanced towards the government side challening MP Ratwatte for a fight. MP Ratwatte however retreated while Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara came forward and was seen trying to pacify an exasperated Ramanayake. UPFA MP Duleep Wijesekera warned MP Ramananayake that the government was not scared of his celluloid action,” reported the paper.
Schoolchildren in the public gallery were removed by security guards, with blows being traded as government MPs tried to extinguish the candles.
As the deputy speaker attempted to carry on with daily proceedings, DNA MPs climbed on their tables, shouting more slogans, with the deputy speaker then adjourning the house to a later date.