• They alleged that the police had assaulted and killed one of their supporters  
• They alleged that the Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekera was  responsible for the alleged murder at the Panamure police station

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) legislators staged a protest inside Parliament holding placards and shouting slogans alleging that the police had assaulted and killed one of their supporters.  

They also accused the police of preventing some of the MPs from coming to Colombo yesterday to attend the protest they held.  

They alleged that the Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekera was responsible for the alleged murder at the Panamure police station. The MPs were seen chanting and holding placards.  

SJB Ratnapura District MP Hesha Withnage, who informed the House about the alleged killing of a youth, said the victim was arrested by the Panamure police on Tuesday and had been assaulted. “The victim succumbed to his injuries this morning. There is commotion in the area now as the villagers have surrounded the police station,” he said.  

MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said his party will take legal action against what he called violations of human rights by the police.  

 The absence of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the time of the protest was a salient feature.