Social media post Rohitha wants woman brought in before Privilege Committee

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  
Hot on the heels of enacting the Online Safety Act, SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardane yesterday brought in a privilege issue over a woman in Katukurunda, Kalutara claiming that she had posted an insulting post while infringing his privileges and she should be brought in before the Privilege Committee.  

Raising a privilege issue in Parliament, MP Abeygunawardane said the woman had posted an insulting post on her social media account, stating that he and acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon were thieves and should be arrested immediately.  
The MP said his privileges, as a Member of Parliament, had been infringed by this post and that it was a threat to his life.  
“This post can cause threats to our lives. It is a dangerous situation,” he said.  
He said the particular woman had contested the general election in 2015 and is known to him.  
He said all 225 MPs must rise against posts of this nature and said it was pointless enacting the Online Safety Act if action were not taken against such posts.  
“It is wrong to accuse us when we have not committed any wrongdoings. People have a right to accuse us if we are at fault. Making false allegations violate not only the rights of the MPs but of all citizens,” he said.