by Saman Indrajith

The main opposition SJB in Parliament called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to intervene in restoring the security detail given to TNA Jaffna district MP, M. A. Sumanthiran.

Chief Opposition Whip, Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella, said that Sumanthiran’s life has been exposed to danger and his security should be restored without further delay.

“We know the outcome of removing the security of political leaders who were under threat. When Janaka Perera contested for the Chief Minister post of the North Central Province, his security detail was removed. There was only one bodyguard left with him on the day he was killed. That was a very unfortunate incident. We have lost many good Tamil political leaders. It is our duty to protect the minorities and we call on the Speaker to take action to restore MP Sumanthiran’s security”, he said.

MP Kiriella said that an MP’s security should not be removed just because he participates in a protest march. “When Mahinda Rajapaksa took part in the Pada Yathra, his security was not removed. The then President Ranasinghe Premadasa ensured his security. That is political morality,” the chief opposition whip said.

Gampaha District SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said that it was wrong to say a court order had been taken against the protest march. “As far as we know, the court order had been taken against violating quarantine laws. You cannot remove the security of an MP on the charge of violating quarantine laws”.

He further said: “It is wrong to describe the attempt to restore Sumanthiran’s security as an attempt to give security to a terrorist. Then what about the security given to Karuna Amman and Pillaiyan? Who is Pillayan? He used to come to my office on all-fours. Now look at how he stands up amidst his bodyguard soldiers. Sumanthiran was always against terrorism. It is unfair to rank him among terrorists”.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa: Sumanthiran was given a special security detail due to threats on his life. It has been removed now. However, the threats continue. I therefore request the Speaker to intervene in this matter to restore the MP’s security.

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd) Sarath Weerasekera: I removed Sumanthiran’s security as he participated in protests despite police warnings and court orders. We cannot give police protection to a person who attends unauthorized protests which are illegal. On the other hand, if Sumanthiran has real threats against his life, he should not go to places where 2,000-2,500 persons had gathered. He did that.

“Even after doing that, he is still alive. This means he has no threat to his life. So we have been right in removing his security. I informed him that it was a joke to provide police or STF security to persons who take part in illegal events. He did so against court orders.”

Sumanthiran said in Parliament the previous day that the government should take responsibility if anything should happen to him. The STF security of the MP was withdrawn immediately after his participation in the five-day Pottuvil to Polikandy march by Tamil political parties, civil society activists, and people from the North and East, he said. 

The MP said that removal of his security would send a signal to those who wanted to harm him that they could go ahead. Therefore, if anything should happen, the government must take the responsibility for it.