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UNP requests Speaker for formal inquiry into attack on its MPs
The UNP has asked Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to hold a formal inquiry into the attack on five of its Parliamentarians which took place on Thursday during a fact-finding mission they undertook to the Hambantota Port and Mattala Airport.
Acting UNP Leader Kara Jayasuirya made the request during a telephone call to the Speaker, on the day of the incident, on behalf of the MPs who came under attack.
Mr Jayasuriya told the Sunday Times that a meeting has been scheduled for Monday at UNP headquarters Sirikotha to discuss what further course of action the Party would take in this regard.
“We view this incident with utmost seriousness,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga will make a statement to Parliament on Thursday regarding the incident, when the House meets for the first time after the New Year recess.
Each of the five MPs who were subject to threats too, will raise a privilege issue from the floor of the House, Mr Amaratunag said.
“What happened is a breach of the rights granted to all MPs under the Parliamentary (Powers and Privileges) Act,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Times learns that Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando who has been named as one of the persons who threatened the UNP MPs, in the complaint lodged at Police Headquarters the day after the incident, is yet to be questioned.
A senior police officer involved in the investigations said the Mayor will be questioned this week. “We will have to ascertain whether the pistol which the Mayor was carrying was an genuine pistol or a toy pistol, as claimed,” a Police official, who wished to remain anonymous, said.