Arrest may violate Parliament and Privileges Act

The arrest of MP Patali Champika Ranawaka can be a violation of Parliament and Privileges Act, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri said yesterday.

He told Daily Mirror that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was not informed of the developments as he was aboard.

“The Speaker was not obviously informed as he is in China at the moment. The police informed me about the arrest and sought permission. Police are liable to inform the Speaker or parliament before making such an arrest as per the powers of Parliament and Parliamentary Privileges Act. Under Section 4 of this piece of legislation, an MP is not liable to any civil or criminal proceeding, arrest, imprisonment or damage by reason of anything which he may have said in parliament or by reason of any matter or thing which he may have brought before parliament by petition, bill, resolution, motion or otherwise,” he said.

“Except for a contravention of this Act, no member shall be liable to arrest, detention or molestation in respect of any debt or matter which may be the subject of civil proceeding while proceeding to, or in attendance at, or returning from, any meeting or sitting of parliament. Provided that any person otherwise entitled to any immunity or privilege under this section who shall be deemed to have committed any act of insolvency may be dealt with under the Insolvency Ordinance as if he had not such immunity or privileges,” the Act outlines. (Yohan Perera)