News
Opp. Leader protests against arrest of MP Gajendrakumar on his way to Parliament
By Saman Indrajith
Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the arrest of Jaffna District MP Ponnambalam was illegal. Arresting an MP on his way to attend Parliament was against the law, Premadasa said.
“We have differences with the ideology and standpoints of MP Ponnambalam but he is entitled to be treated as any other MP in this House. He was taken into police custody today while he was on his way to attend Parliament. That is illegal as per the law. We urge the government to respect the law. This is an illegal arrest,” Premadasa said.
The Opposition Leader said that he would not go into the details of the cause or the incident that prompted the arrest of the MP. “But we must understand that he is an MP entitled to privileges. We as MPs have a right to talk about when the privileges of a fellow MP are violated. As far as I know MP Ponnambalam contacted the Speaker and said that he would go to the police station after attending the parliament session. However, he was taken into custody. It is illegal to arrest an MP who is on his way to Parliament. Implement the law to the letter and we call on the Speaker to protect the rights of MPs,” Premadasa said.
Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said MP Ponnambalam was a law-abiding MP. “He has engaged in peaceful protests against the government. He did not even avail himself of the police protection. He is entitled for police protection, Ponnambalam did not obtain police protection. Ponnambalam goes anywhere only with his driver. He was taken into custody while he was coming to parliament. That is against the law,” Kiriella said.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that he had no powers to interfere in police matters. He said that he had been informed by the police top brass that they would arrest Ponnambalam yet he did not have powers to stop them. “Police higher-ups called me and said that they would report the matter pertaining to the courts and would obtain the court’s permission to arrest him. I understand that Ponnambalam has a right not to be arrested while on his way to parliament. Ponnambalam and a DIG of police too called me in this regard. The police said that they would present Ponnambalam before Kilinochchi Magistrate and then allow his attendance in parliament. That was their duty plan. I cannot interfere in that matter. It is the duty of the police to produce the MP before the courts.
Opposition Leader Premadasa said that there was a precedent and guidelines set by former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to police on how to arrest an MP. He referred to the Hansard records of March 3, 2015 and said that the former Speaker Rajapaksa had laid down the procedure that should be followed when an MP is arrested by the police and asked the incumbent Speaker to adhere to that.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’
Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.
Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.
‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.
Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.
Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Isabelle Martin over the last weekend met representatives of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) in the East. Tamil Guardian reported that talks focused on the challenges facing the Tamil people.
The meeting was held at the office of ITAK Member of Parliament Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran and brought together parliamentarians representing the Batticaloa and Ampara districts, alongside local government officials including divisional council chairpersons.
Discussions centred on a range of pressing issues, including livelihoods, access to education, employment opportunities and ongoing human rights concerns, as well as the broader state of democratic governance in the region.
High Commissioner Martin sought updates on prevailing socio-economic conditions, particularly the challenges confronting local communities in the East. She noted the concerns raised and indicated that she would follow up on the matters discussed.
Among those present were ITAK MPs Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran, Gnanamuthu Sirinesan and Dr Elayathamby Srinath, along with several local council representatives.
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
ITAK MPs representing East take their woes to Canadian HC
People demand release of Keppapilavu land
Sajith calls VAT hike extortion, demands relief for the public
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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