New Democratic Front (NDF) MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake referenced a viral Facebook post, commenting on his and Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne’s recent appointments as MPs.

Speaking during the debate on the Government’s Policy Statement presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Dassanayake said:

"I saw a Facebook post that said Sugath Thilakaratne was nominated to Parliament from the National List to stop me if I tried to run away with the Mace. Sugath is a phenomenal athlete. I’ve also done the 400m. Sugath can run, yes, but he can’t stop me because I’m bigger than him in physique."

Dassanayake said,

"On serious note, we didn’t come to Parliament to run away with the Mace. We have a much bigger responsibility than that."