Two SLPP MPs grab mobile phone of two Parliament reporters

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the Speaker to look into the incident where two SLPP MPs had grabbed the mobile phone of two Parliament reporters Prageeth Perera and Kasun Samaraweera in Parliament yesterday.  

 “Mobile phones of two lobby reporters have been grabbed by two government MPs. I won’t mention the names of these MPs as an unnecessary situation would arise if I do,” he said.   
“Make arrangements to return the phones to the owners and see that media freedom of lobby reporters are safeguarded,” he added.   

MPs Channa Jayasumana and Indika Anuruddha said taking photos and video recording them is a threat to their security. “Acts such as these could be a threat to our security at a time when houses of MPs are attacked,” he said.   

Raising a privilege issue later MP Anuruddha said mobile phone could do much harm. “It is possible for some one to take photos of MPs and send them to attackers,” he said.   
Meanwhile Parliament Journalists’ Association issued a release vehemently condemned the incident. 

• Make arrangements to return the phones to the owners and see that media freedom of lobby reporters are safeguarded
•  Taking photos and video recording them is a threat to the security of MPs
• Parliament Journalists’ Association issued a release vehemently condemned the incident