UNP MPs allege arrest was political victimisation

While alleging that the arrest of MP Patali Champika Ranawaka was illegal and an act of political victimisation, the UNP today said the Party is currently having discussions on the steps to be taken with regard to the arrest.

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a press conference that his party will take several steps against what he called political victimisation. “We are currently discussing the steps which we should take against this suppression of opponents by the government, especially in a situation where a number of other opposition MPs are also facing a threat of arrests,” Mr. Kariyawasam said.

Meanwhile, UNP MP Ashu Marasinghe said he had already sent a written complaint to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya stating that MP Ranawaka's parliamentary privileges have been violated as a result of the arrest.

“Police officers who had come to arrest Mr. Ranawaka had informed the Deputy Speaker about the arrest only after the former inquired from them whether they have sought the Speaker’s permission for it,” Professor Marasinghe had said in his written complaint.

Also, he had requested the Speaker to carry out an investigation on the arrest. (Yohan Perera)