• Mr. Bathiudeen has been held without any reason
• When I inquired as to why I am detained, I was informed that I am held over a telephone conversation I held with my former ministry secretary Balasubramanium

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Heated argument flared up in Parliament yesterday in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over former Minister Rishard Bathiudeen.   

The argument flared up when Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella raised an issue pertaining to MP Bathiudeen. “ Mr. Bathiudeen has been held without any reason. No investigation is taking place and he is locked up,” he said.   Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene who responded said the police had notified him that the MP was held for investigations. “The police informed me that Mr. Bathiudeen is being taken in for investigations,” he said.   

Mr. Bathiudeen himself who rose to speak said he had been held for more than 100 days and investigations had been made only on four days so far.  

“ When I inquired as to why I am detained, I was informed that I am held over a telephone conversation I held with my former ministry secretary Balasubramanium,” he said.     Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando who responded said that time should not be wasted on the matter. “Opposition has raised the question over MP Bathiudeen many times and you have answered them. Do not let these MPs to waste time, “he told the Speaker.   “ Mr. Balasubramanium had fled the country,” he added.    The Speaker then advised Mr. Bathiudeen to take up the matter with the President.   

• Mr. Bathiudeen himself who rose to speak said he had been held for more than 100 days