Six arrested over Tamil MP’s assault

Police arrested six persons yesterday on suspicion of being involved in the assault on Tamil National People’s Front MP Selvarajah Kajendren in Sardhapura, Trincomalee on Sunday while he was taking part in a procession to commemorate the death anniversary of LTTE member Rasaiah Parthipan also known as Thileepan.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the China Bay Police arrested four males and two females after the Thambalagamuwa Police received a complaint from Kajendran. The suspects were presented before the courts and were remanded until 21 September.

Commenting on the procession, SSP Thalduwa said according to Gazettes issued proscribing the LTTE and the Prevention of Terrorism Act, memorials commemorating members of terror outfits are not allowed.

Meanwhile addressing a press conference yesterday, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila questioned who granted MP Kajendran permission to travel from the East to the North in a procession carrying an image of Thileepan. He said any official who has granted permission to such a procession has violated the Constitution and worked towards promoting separatism.

He called the procession a conspiracy hatched to incite the Sinhalese in the East who were victimised by the LTTE and give rise to communal tensions. He urged the Government to arrest MP Kajendran under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.