Speaker assures of P’ment safety

• MPs jittery after arrest of P’ment employee suspected to be linked to Easter Sunday attacks

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya informed the lawmakers that he is unable to provide any personal assurances on Parliament security but assured all possible measures have been taken to ensure safety following the recommendations of security forces and intelligence services.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya

Responding to a question raised by United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Dinesh Gunawardena, the Speaker held that the security of the Parliament is discussed on a daily basis with the relevant officers and the measures are taken based on these meetings.

Explaining the arrest of a person with house floor plan and the recent arrest of a Parliament employee, the Speaker said: “The key officers of the Parliament do receive reports from the security forces and the intelligence services. The first person arrested was an employee of a subcontractor who was assigned by the Road Development Authority to repair the access road to Parliament. It is true that he had some Parliament entry passes, a plan of the Parliament and also a false bottom fixed to his vehicle. He is under custody.”

“Last Sunday around 9.00 p.m., I received a telephone call from a certain Police officer informing the need to arrest a particular Parliament employee. I have kept the Secretary-General immediately. But on a daily basis, we monitor the security of the lawmakers. But I am unable to provide you with any certificate.  However, the Government has arrested 95% of the accomplices of the Easter Sunday attacks,” he added confirming the House the security threat is taken care of.

However, MP Gunawardena said: “Speaker informed the arrest of a Parliament employee in connection with the terrorist responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks. Before this, a private contractor was arrested with details and plans of the Parliament. The Speaker assured the increase of Parliament security based on the threat, which was imminent. The operation of the Parliament is the responsibility of the Speaker and the Secretary General. The recent arrest was done after almost a month.”

In response, Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development and Leader of the House of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella said: “During the recent pre-Cabinet meeting Prime Minister had with us we were informed that 79 essential suspects were already arrested and only one remains to be arrested. We are sure that all could be arrested with the systematic approach followed.”