4 May 2022 03:23 pm
A group of protesters were arrested near Parliament as they were found to have hooted at the MPs and attempted to harass them, Public Security Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.
He told Parliament that they would be produced in court. The Minister said it was discussed at the party leaders meeting today that the MPs should be allowed to move freely.
He said the IGP was instructed to take steps to ensure free movement of the MPs following the request of the Party leaders and the Speaker.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said a group of youth who had come to hand over a letter to the Speaker had been arrested on their return by the Maharagama police.
He said it was unlawful and urged the Speaker to release the arrested youth.
"This is not a dictatorship rule. This is a democratic country. How can they be arrested on their return from handing over a letter to the Speaker," he questioned. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)