Oppn. protests Tissa’s arrests

2 February 2015 03:32 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today protested over the arrest of MP Tissa Attanayake without notifying Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa.

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said the Speaker should be informed of the arrest of MPs in terms of the Parliamentary Privileges Act. Mr. Attanayake was arrested on the charge of document forgery during the election time.

Mr. Attanayake, who was the then UNP General Secretary, switched allegiance to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the run-up to the January 8 election.

During the election campaign he produced a document claiming to be that of a pact between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the then Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Mr. Sirisena and Mr. Wickremesinghe denied the existence of any such a pact and said their signatures had been forged by Mr. Attanayake.

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who responded said he too was arrested in 1994, but the then Speaker K.B. Ratnayake ruled that there was no requirement to notify him when carrying out such arrests.

State Minister Palitha Range Bandara said an MP accused of criminal offences could be arrested without notifying the Speaker.

"Nowhere has such a requirement been laid down. If there is any, please let us know," he challenged the Opposition Leader.

Democratic Left Front leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said late Speaker Stanley Tillakeratne ruled that the Speaker, as the custodian of Parliament, should be kept informed regarding the arrests of MPs.

"This ruling was given when I was arrested in 1971," he said.

Deputy Justice Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe sought a ruling from Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa citing that there was lack of clarity on this matter.

"Instead of going by past rulings, it is better to seek a fresh ruling from the Speaker. Otherwise, we are confused as to what we should do," he said.

The Speaker agreed to give his opinion on this matter after studying the past rulings. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 17

Desmond Jeromme Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:30 PM

Correct next comes Aluthgamage followed by Weerawansa... then Rohitha oh the list consist more strong guys.

Horri Jimonis Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:33 PM

Your Government created - Ministers

Desmond Jeromme Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:35 PM

There is no rules as such. Speaker cannot interfere with Police Actions.

Horri Jimonis Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:39 PM

Another criminal is trying to protect a criminal. what a world.

J Palitha Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:40 PM

Opposition Leader is also in the bad books ???

Nims Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:57 PM

Oii Nimal you too will be in the same boat soon for the corruptions you committed.

Common Sense Tuesday, 03 February 2015 02:12 PM

We have elected MPs to represent us and to create a peaceful environment for our decent living. But not to take law in to their hands and not to act according to their wishes.

don Tuesday, 03 February 2015 02:18 PM

yes rajapaksha regime should arrest and hang.THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DESTROYED OUR COUNTRY.our RANNI WILL PROTECT OUR COUNTRY.

ranjith. Tuesday, 03 February 2015 02:18 PM

this is the yaha palanaya. what happend rajitha, and ravi arrest both of them and anura kumara

kithudugama Tuesday, 03 February 2015 03:19 PM

Both are criminals, Should be sword or minced in Jail

chinthaka Tuesday, 03 February 2015 03:57 PM

corruption! corruption!!! corruption!!! every where??? But none is yet proven. Only Media circus and vengeance. How about money made by Rajitha from Chinese trawlers which carried Lanka flags? How about his role leading to EEC ban of Lanka fish? So if some one go to bribery commission against him, will you arrest the Dentist also????

Heeraluwa Tuesday, 03 February 2015 04:58 PM

Nimal must have got scared, they might raid the room attached to his office.How does he manage with such a big pot?

Sethanun717 Tuesday, 03 February 2015 04:58 PM

What a Joke! The man seems to be in grand celebration in handcuffs. And then this jackass is protecting him? Wow

kolannawa Kolla Tuesday, 03 February 2015 05:26 PM

Why not also ape game Sudu mahataya? Ara Kudu Silver man, i think he is the next.

Denna Tuesday, 03 February 2015 11:56 AM

This is only the beginning. Let us see how many more arrests...

Rajitha Tuesday, 03 February 2015 11:59 AM

Great idea inform the guilty! This way you can leave the country when informed that you will be arrested! Amazingly corrupt amount of lot we have !

sri Tuesday, 03 February 2015 05:18 AM

Any reason the speaker needs to be notified if he he broke the law and has evidence to prove.

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Oppn. protests Tissa’s arrests

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