Update: MPs want written assurance

20 April 2015 05:47 am

UPFA MP T.B. Ekanayake who is one of the MPs carrying out the protest said it would not be called off until President Maithripala Sirisena assured them in writing of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s safety and security.

The protesting MPs handed over a petition signed by them to Public Order Minister John Amaratunga urging a written assurance from the President.

“We are awaiting the minister’s response,” Mr. Ekanayake said.  

A group of United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs earlier staged a protest inside the Parliament chamber against the Bribery Commission’s move to summon former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to record statements over an allegation against him.

The allegation levelled against the former President was that he had bribed a ministerial post to former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake for his cross over.  

MPs Nimal Siripala de Silva, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dinesh Gunawardane and Wimal Weerawansa were among those who protested against the Commission’s move.    

The Prime Minister however assured that adequate security would be provided to Mr. Rajapaksa and he had been summoned only to a record a statement. (YP & LSP)