Seeks police security

• Speaker says will look into whether he had resorted to any undisciplined or unethical behaviour   

By Ajith Siriwardana   

Jaffna District Independent MP Archchuna Ramanathan has  sought personal security from the Parliament authorities, claiming that  he is unable to move freely after the incident in Parliament recently.    

The MP requested for security during the first day of the  three-day orientation programme in the Parliament complex yesterday.   

Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne  said the MP is required to make a written request from the Public  Security Ministry to obtain security.   

He said that providing a pistol and security is not fully  covered by the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act and that the  Public Security Ministry holds the responsibility.   

“You have a right to obtain police security or pistol according to the assessment of the Ministry,” he said.   

Meanwhile, Speaker Ashoka Ranwala said investigations will  be held into the conduct of Jaffna District Independent MP Archchuna  Ramanathan in Parliament last week to ascertain whether he had resorted  to any undisciplined or unethical behaviour.   

He told the media in Kandy that he will discuss with MP  Ramanathan and other MPs during the next session of Parliament regarding  the incident.   

The Speaker said the particular incident had occurred before the official Parliamentary business had commenced.   
Responding to a question that the MP had made a statement  in violation of the Constitution and standing on behalf of the LTTE, he  said the MP had not made any such statements officially in the House and  that he had taken oaths properly.   

“We do not know his ambitions as an individual. But we are  very certain of the ambitions of the people he represents. People never  expect such a thing in the country. He has not made such a statement  officially in the House. It is an isolated incident committed by a  single person. We do not know his ambitions. We can discuss it with him. We  monitored his profile and the YouTube channel,” the Speaker said.   

The MP occupied the Opposition Leader’s seat inside the  chambers and refused to move away, despite requests by Parliament staff  to move.