In the wake of controversy surrounding the security of opposition MPS in Parliament, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya has informed the Opposition MPS that the matter involving their security will be referred to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Public Security Minister for further action.
The matter concerning the security of opposition MPS was discussed during a meeting convened by Speaker Jagath Wickramarante yesterday, and attended by the IGP, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and a group of opposition MPS following a request made by the opposition.
Security of all government and opposition MPS was removed after the National People’s Power (NPP) government came to power, which they called as a policy decision.
However, with the escalation of murders committed by organised criminal gangs, which includes the recent killing of SJB’S Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, the opposition demanded security for their MPS. According to the Communications Department of Parliament, the opposition has requested for security for all opposition MPS, for which the Speaker has said that the IGP had been informed to take necessary action regarding the requests that had already been made by some MPS for security.
He had also told the MPS that he had acted regarding the MPS’ request for security despite the government’s policy decision on their security and pointed out that actions had already been
taken to provide security to some MPS.
Opposition MPS have pointed out that, as the first step, opposition MPS must be provided with security to carry out their political activities without any hindrance in a safer environment and take further action after obtaining a threat assessment report as the next step.
SJB MP Jagath Vithana, who is reported to have received death threats as revealed by the IGP, told reporters after the discussion that Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya expressed regret over the statement he had made in Kandy.
MP Vithana said the IGP informed him that he had threats from several groups and assured to pay special attention to the matter.