Arrested Gammanpila turns up in Parliament

Parliament was heated yesterday with the Joint Opposition speaking about the recent arrest of Joint Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila who was in the Parliament Lobby at that time. 

Gaining support from 20 Joint Opposition lawmakers on feet to establish the use of the Standing Order 17.1, Joint Opposition group leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena said: “He was arrested on the 18th June and was produced to Fort Magistrate after several hours. He is accused of some alleged crime which took place over 18 years ago. Arrest of MP Gammanpila violates his rights and threatens the other Parliamentarians. This Government has hurt many politicians. Regardless of his petition to Supreme Court MP Gammanpila was taken into custody. He was in remand custody till 1st July. He needs to be allowed to be in the Parliament on sitting days.” 

Rejecting any political witch-hunt over the Joint Opposition, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said: “Do let us know if he is there in the lobby. Questions cannot be raised in the Chamber if he is there in the lobby. You have misled the House.” The Prime Minister highlighting some health conditions invited the Minister of Regional Development, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to respond on his behalf. 

“You mislead the House. You are nothing but a bunch shouting like animals who forgot the your  behaviour during the past. Your leader took law and order in his hand. He took revenge from political opponents,” charged Minister Fonseka. 

Deputy Chairman of Committees Selvam Adaikkalanathan rejected the statement on MP Gammanpila by highlighting the ongoing legal proceedings at the Fort Magistrates Court. (AH)