Pandemonium reigned at the 6th inaugural sessions of the Southern Provincial Council yesterday when SLFP maverick Nishantha Muthuhettiagama (UPFA) demanded that he be sworn in as the chairman of the council and occupied the Chair after his name and Mohan Priyadharshana Silva’s were proposed for the office of Chairman.

He was subsequently removed from the Chair by Councillors Hemal Gunasekera and Upul Banduweera.

However, Muthuhettigama insisted that he be sworn in as the Chairman and even sought the support of the UNP councillors.

Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal Silva told the Leader of the House M. L. Dayananda that the proceedings should take place as per regulations.

The Leader of the House said that Nishantha Muthuhettigama had not taken his oaths and only 54 of the 55 members elected had taken theirs.

Muthuhettigama then demanded that he be sworn in and complained that his rights had been violated. He then appealed to UNP Councillors including Manusha

Nanayakkara and they surrounded the Leader of the House expressing their support for Muthuhettigama.

This resulted in heated arguments between the ruling party members and the Opposition over the Muthuhettigama issue.

At this stage Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva requested the Leader of the House to appoint a Chairman according to the standing orders.

Muthuhettigama then apologised to the House for his behaviour and vowed that he would not leave the SLFP.

Shan Wijayalal de Silva proposed the name of Mohan Priyadharshana de Silva for the office of Chairman and it was seconded by Aruna Gunaratne. Muthuhettigama urged the UNP members to propose his name, too. But, since he had not taken oaths as a member of the Council, Mohan de Silva was elected uncontested.

Muthuhettigama was not ready to give in. He forcibly occupied the seat of the Chairman before de Silva could do so.

Wijeya Dahanayake was elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Council.

Later Muthihettigama took his oaths administered by the new Chairman.