A person who admitted to breaching MP’s privileges on Facebook social media apologized at the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
According to a complaint made by Member of Parliament Mr. MA Sumanthiran that the privileges of the Member of Parliament had been violated through a video posted in an insulting manner to Mr. R. Sambandhan, the person belonging to the relevant Facebook page was summoned to the Privileges Committee yesterday.

As the person admitted that there had been a breach of MP’s privilege by him, it was decided to settle the incident with conditions based on the agreement of both parties.
Accordingly, the investigation of the complaint was completed on the condition that a statement be published in a famous newspaper as well as on the same Facebook page expressing regret and apologizing.
The committee released him with a strict warning to refrain from such acts in the future.
The Chairman of the Committee pointed out that under the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, Parliament as well as the Supreme Court have the power to punish if someone makes an insulting statement regarding a member of Parliament or Parliament in general.

He pointed out that under the power of Parliament, there is also the power to warn or ban entry into the Parliament premises for six months, and if the Committee on Ethics and Privileges decides that some wrongdoing has happened, it can be referred to the Supreme Court.
Accordingly, the chairman further pointed out that if found guilty, he can be sentenced to a prison sentence of not more than two years or a fine or both.
Investigations related to this incident took place in the Committee on Ethics and Privileges which met in Parliament yesterday (04) afternoon under the chairmanship of the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reform Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa.