MP Archchuna to be arrested for obstructing police duties

• Speaker to be notified in due course

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Controversial Jaffna District Parliamentarian Ramanathan Archchuna, who found himself in the latest episode of an altercation with Anuradhapura Police over a traffic offence is to be arrested for obstructing duties and the Speaker will be notified regarding the arrest, the Daily Mirror learns.   
Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga, AAL told the Daily Mirror last evening that sooner or later the MP will be placed under custody and the Speaker of the House will be notified regarding his arrest as per the privileges of a Parliamentarian.   
The official said everyone is equal under the law and no one will get off scot-free for obstructing the duty of a police officer or using threat or force.    

The incident was reported on Monday night when the MP’s vehicle bound for Colombo from Jaffna was ordered to be stopped in Galwala Junction in Anuradhapura by the police for using powerful lights disturbing other motorists.   
An altercation ensued between the MP and the police when the former had refused to show his identification papers or driver’s license.   
SSP Manatunga said the police had to let the MP proceed as he had reportedly told the officers present that he was going to attend Parliament sessions yesterday.   
The police reported facts to Anuradhapura Magistrate Courts yesterday and said the concerned MP had violated the clauses 183 and 344 under the Penal Code.   
The Magistrate had then ordered the police to conduct preliminary investigations leading to the arrest of the MP and report the progress of it on February 3rd.     
Later, the MP while explaining to the media what happened on the way,  said he did not obstruct the duties of the police officers as they  claimed. He accused the authorities of failing to ensure security for the  Opposition under the system change. “Even the security of the former  President is being removed, making a fuss about ‘Clean Sri Lanka,’” he  said.
He also said that if he had given his driving licence to the police as  they demanded, they would have gone with it. He stated that he used the  VIP lights as a security measure and explained this to the police  officers.