By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) had lodged a formal complaint to Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Commonwealth Parliament Union (CPU) on the recent alleged attempted assault of MP Manusha Nanayakkara at the Parliamentary complex.   

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella had lodged a written complaint to CPU and IPU Secretary Generals to intervene to prevent further undemocratic acts. “I kindly call upon you as the secretary generals of IPU and CPU to intervene and to take all necessary measures required to prevent any further undemocratic actions by the government and to safeguard the parliamentary democracy of Sri Lanka,” Mr. Kiriella said in his letter.   

Mr. Kiriella who had elaborated on the incidents which took place in Parliament had accused the Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando and other government MPs of having forcefully stopped the additional time that would have been given to MP Manusha Nanayakkara after the time of the debate was extended. He said Mr. Nanayakkara approached the Speaker only to discuss with him the situation and not to harm him by any means.  

Mr. Kiriella in his letters accused State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera of verbally assaulting Mr. Nanayakkara.