Gampaha District SJB MP Prasad Siriwardana yesterday dismissed claims of rodents and unhygienic conditions in the Parliamentary kitchen, following his own inspection.
Siriwardana said he had found storage areas well protected with glass and nets and staff keeping the place clean. He insisted that during the past 35 years or so there had been no complaints about the quality of food served in Parliament. He accused Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne of tarnishing the image of the kitchen staff with his remarks.
The MP, however, admitted that the facilities were badly run down, noting that six out of seven stoves were unusable, exhaust fans were out of order, equipment broken, tiles worn, and restrooms in poor condition. He urged immediate action to fix those shortcomings.
Siriwardana’s comments came in response to the Speaker’s announcement that a recent inspection by the Battaramulla Medical Officer of Health had found traces of rats and cockroaches, broken utensils, damaged flooring, and food additives unfit for human consumption in the Parliament kitchen and cafeteria.
The Speaker warned that food poisoning could affect crucial sittings, such as a two-thirds vote in the House, though the public health inspectors’ report had not yet been released.