Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today that the arrested MP Gajendra Kumara Ponnambalam has the right to attend Parliamentary sittings under the Privileges Act, even though there are clear contradictions in respect of his political beliefs and those of ours.
The leader of the opposition said that regardless of the reason behind the arrest, he has his privileges as a parliamentarian, and everybody should pay attention to them. He said that on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, Mr Chamal Rajapaksa, as the speaker at the time, had set out clear guidelines on the measures to be followed in the event of an arrest of a member of parliament, and it was recorded in Hansard. He also said that it should be followed forthwith in the case of Mr Ponnambalam.
Therefore, the Leader of the Opposition further requested that he pay attention to this matter and protect the MP’s privileges. The MP Ponnambalam was arrested this morning while he was staying in his Kollupitiya.
