Heated arguments in Parliament over recent arrests

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Parliament, December 04 (Daily Mirror)- Heated arguments erupted in Parliament over a statement by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who said that cases have been filed against recent incidents involving LTTE commemorations under two laws in the North and South.

The MP told Parliament that cases have been filed in the South under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) while cases have been filed in the North under the Penal Code.

The Public Security Minister responded, saying that the Police Department has been given the freedom to act independently without political interferences and it is up to the police to decide under which Acts the cases must be filed after investigations.

"The Police Department has given the freedom to act independently without political interferences. It is upto the police to decide under which Acts the cases must be filed after investigations. It is the duty of the police and not the duty of the Minister," Minister Wijepala said.

MP Jayasekara said police must be advised to seek assistance of the Attorney General's Department before filing cases. 

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, who responded, said police seek legal assistance only if there are any confusion and if required.  

Minister Wijepala said the IGP had informed him that cases have been filed under the PTA both in the North and the South and added that MP Jayasekara had made a statement inciting racism claiming that separate laws had been implemented in the North and the South. 

MP Jayasekara, who responded said he had never appeared for racism and said that he only said police must seek the AG Department's advice when filing cases in the North and South as correct decisions needed to be taken with regard to racism.

The MP requested Minister Wijepala to withdraw the statement calling him a racist.

Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake said MP Jayasekara had made racial statements and requested MP Jayasekara to withdraw his statement, adding that the Minister should not withdraw it.