House committee probing Jaffna MP’s complaints

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne told Parliament yesterday that a committee was currently probing Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archuna’s complaints against Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

The Speaker said so when MP Archuna inquired about a complaint that he had made against Opposition Leader Premadasa, whom he accused of depriving him of his right to speak in the House.

“I lodged this complaint on Dec. 18 that my parliamentary privileges were breached by the Opposition Leader. I submitted this in writing to the Speaker. I am not given time to address this House. There has been no response to my complaint up until now. Today is Jan. 07. Why has my complaint been overlooked?” the MP asked

“I have been told that this matter has been forwarded in the form of a letter to the Opposition. But no response has been given.

I came all the way from Jaffna to attend Parliament. But what is the use of it if I am not given an opportunity to address this House,” the MP asked.Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathillake said the Opposition was awaiting the Speaker’s advice on MP Archuna, who has been accused of misconduct in the recent past.