Uproar in Parliament after editor's slaying

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 September 1999, 12:34 GMT]
(Adds Photo) The murder of a Sinhala journalist in Colombo caused uproar in Parliament today when the opposition raised the issue. The Speaker was forced to suspend the sittings of the house twice. Mr.Rohana Kumara, Editor of Satana, was killed on Tuesday night.

Gayani Pavithra (C), the widow of slain Sri Lankan newspaper editor, Rohana Kumara, is consoled by relatives outside the coroner's office. The newspaper editor who is known for his anti-government writing was killed by unidentified gunmen yesterday evening.Photo:EPA PHOTO AFP

When the Parliament met today morning, a UNP M.P.Dharmadasa Banda said that the nation was shocked to learn the murder of a Sinhala journalist on the eve of the International Journalists' Day.

Then heated arguments ensued between the government and opposition members.

The Speaker suspended the sitting of the house for ten minutes. When the house resumed its sittings, another opposition MP Mervyn Silva (UNP) raised the issue once again.

The Speaker was once again forced to suspend the sittings.