(by Walter Nanayakkara and Resara Abeywardena)

Stop shadow boxing, said UNP National List MP Milinda Moragoda who was replying to a remark made by Leader of the House Richard Pathirana, in Parliament the previous day about the proposal to live telecast Parliamentary proceedings.

Mr. Moragoda with the permission of the Speaker Anura Bandaranaike in a special statement told the Parliament.

“I think the time has come to stop shadow boxing and for the House to take a clear decision as to whether we intend to permit those whom we claim to represent to observe for themselves what we do or do not do here.”

Mr. Moragoda said “I understand that while I was absent from the Chamber yesterday morning, the Leader of the House had mentioned my name and implied that I had delayed in submitting a report in connection with the motion on the live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings moved on the 12 th January, 2001. Some newspapers, Saturday morning touched on this issue as well. Members of the House may recall that this motion which received bipartisan support required that the Committee on Parliamentary business work out the modalities and mechanisms for broadcasting the proceedings of the House and its committees on a real-time basis and submit a report to the House on or before 28 th February, 2001. You will remember Mr. Speaker, that we had several interactions in an effort to move this initiative forward and that at your suggestion I participated at a meeting with the relevant parliamentary officials and staff members of the Rupavahini Corporation to work out a fair and practical approach to put this into operation. At this meeting, which occurred on 23 rd February, I presented a report outlining possible follow-up action to this motion. This document stated the following :

A note outlining possible follow-up action to the motion on live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings moved on 12 th January, 2001.

The rules presently followed by the House of Commons in the United Kingdom may be used as a guideline. The Rupavahini Corporation should be entrusted with the task of telecasting the proceedings subject however, to the condition that any other broadcaster will be entitled to access the Rupavahini feed live and as and when required.

Hon. Speaker shall at all times be in control of the broadcasts and all broadcasters will be bound to follow any general or specific directions given in that regard by the Hon. Speaker.

Annexures:

• Rules of Converge of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom.

• Extract from the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings from Erskine May.

• Extract from Telecasting and Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings from Shakdar and Kaul.

• A report prepared by Dr. Stephen Colemen “Electronic Media, Parliament and the

People – Making Democracy Visible”. ( 23 Feb. 2000).

I am aware that both prior to and after this meeting, the Leader of the Opposition had several discussions at the Committee of Parliamentary business, with the Prime Minister and yourself in an effort to expedite this proposal. In fact, I was present on March 2, when the Leader of the Opposition informally raised the suggestions made in my report with the Prime Minister who undertook to pursue the matter. Therefore, I was surprised when I heard that the Leader of the House had made the comment that I had not submitted a report. I think, Mr. Speaker, that the time has come to stop shadow boxing and for this House to take a clear decision as to whether we intend to permit those whom we claim to represent to observe for themselves what we do or do not do here. If we wish to proceed, let us derive a consensus, set a clear timetable and action plan and move this initiative forward.