SJB MPS submit letter to Speaker claiming threat to silence them

By Saman Indrajith

Fifteen SJB MPs yesterday handed over a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asking him to ensure the MPs’ right of speech in Parliament.

The letter signed by 16 MPs was handed over to the Speaker at his office in the parliamentary complex yesterday.

The letter states that each MP has a right to express his or her opinions in the House as representatives of the people and Parliament is the place for MPs to exercise their right of expressing opinions.

“Following a recent statement made by MP Harin Fernando in Parliament the President has responded in public in a manner threatening the MP. The President is entitled to attend Parliament sessions and respond to the MP’s statement in the chamber.

It has been observed that the supporters of the President had reiterated that statement made by the president in state media and social media. These statements are not only a threat to the freedom of expression and also raise serious concerns about the safety of the MPs and democracy of the country. It is our belief that you as the speaker of the parliament is bound to ensure the MPs exercising their freedom of expression and to ensure the MPs protection and safety therefore we seek your intervention to ensure the protection of those rightss.”

The letter has been signed by MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Dr Raitha Senaratne, JC Alawathuwala, Patali Champika Ranawaka, MHA Haleem, Vadivel Suresh, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Velu Kumar, Kings Nelson, Manusha Nanayakkara, K. Sujith Perera, S.M. Marikkar, Eran Wickremaratne, Tissa Attanayake, Rishad Bathiudeen and Harshana Rajakaruna.