Ruckus in Sri Lanka Parliament over Rajapaksa's ouster

Colombo [Sri Lanka], Nov 15 (ANI): In an unsual turn of events, Sri Lankan Parliament on Thursday witnessed a huge ruckus as members got into fistfights, hurled objects at each and even tried to attack Speaker Karu Jayasuriya following the ouster of newly-sworn in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In the first session on Thursday, Speaker Jayasuriya made it clear that Sri Lanka has no Prime Minister or cabinet as of now. He reiterated that neither Rajapaksa nor Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was ousted by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, was the Prime Minister of the South Asian island nation.
Following Jayasuriya’s remark, Rajapaksa insisted on making a speech in the House. After the conclusion of Rajapaksa’s statement, Member of the Parliament Lakshman Kiriella of United National Party (UNP) moved a motion of No-Confidence against him. Following this Rajapaksa supporters started disrupting the House as the Speaker asked the members if they wanted to vote on the No-Confidence motion. The dignity of the Sri Lankan Parliament was in tatters as Rajapaksa's supporters threw water bottles and dustbins in the House.
"Starting with MR (Mahinda Rajapaksa) forcing himself on the PM chair even after Speaker stating he has lost the No-Confidence motion yesterday, thus, he is no longer PM; MR (Rajapaksa) making statement as PM by force; Speaker calling for a vote by name on ‘PM statement’ as per request by Lakshman Kirielle; Thilanga Sumatipala (disgrace to be called an honorable MP) approaches Speaker and starts yelling obscenities at him; Others from his side join him to a scream at Speaker getting close to physically assault him; Our MPs approach the Speaker’s chair to protect him and get entangled in brawl. What a shame. All the while the illegal PM occupies the chair reserved for PM and directs the show. In the melee Speaker calls for vote again and we all rise to vote against the ‘PM Statement’ and Speaker leaves Chair for short adjournment," wrote former Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister Harsha De Silva on his Facebook page giving the details of the brawl that took place in the Parliament.
In the process supporters of Rajapaksa tried to assualt the Speaker of the House alleged the MP: "They r trying to assault speaker #CoupLK," tweeted De Silva.  
All this comes a day after Rajapaksa was defeated in the Parliament during a `No-Confidence' motion. The No-Confidence motion against Rajapaksa was passed after 122 members voted against him in the 225-member House.
The international community has urged President Sirisena to work towards restoration of peace and democracy in the nation. On Tuesday, the Lankan Supreme Court had tried to restore demcocracy in the country by ordering a stay on President Sirisena's move to dissolve the Parliament after ousting Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The South Asian island nation has been in a political turmoil after Sirisena sacked former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and replaced him with the now-ousted Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 26. (ANI)