Arrest those who video recorded MPs’ visit at Colombo port: State Minister

• Says certain media and politicians were spreading rumours about the visit claiming they had a party  

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

An immediate investigation should be launched into the Ports Authority Trade Union members who unlawfully video recorded the inspection visit made by a group of MPs at the Colombo Port and they must be taken into CID custody, State Minister of Ports and Aviation Premalal Jayasekera said yesterday.    

He told Parliament that a group of 20 MPs were taken on an inspection tour of the Colombo port following a request made by some of the MPs during the budget debate stating they needed to visit the East and West Jetty of the Colombo port and witness why the work on the West jetty is delayed.   

“It is my duty as the State Minister to listen to their requests. Certain media and politicians are spreading rumours about the visit claiming that we had a party. Action must be taken against them. Certain Trade Union members had video recorded the visit unlawfully. Investigation must be launched into the incident and they must be taken into CID custody,” he said.   
The Minister said no cent of the Ports Authority was spent for the visit and that he was tabling all the bills of the expenses made for the event.   

He said this in response to an allegation made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa that a group of MPs had a party on two dredgers at a cost of public money when the country is bankrupt.