Murder convict Premalal Jayasekara sworn in as MP amid protests

Murder convict Premalal Jayasekara was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena this afternoon amid furious protests by Opposition lawmakers. 

Mr Jayasekara was elected to Parliament from the Ratnapura district on the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) ticket at the August 5 Parliamentary election, just days after being sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court along with two others for murdering an Opposition activist and causing serious injuries to two others during the campaign for the 2015 Presidential election. Mr Jayasekara has appealed against the decision. 

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order to the Commissioner General of Prisons directing him to allow Mr Jayasekara to attend Parliamentary sittings. 

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa wore black shawls in Parliament today as a mark of protest against the Speaker's decision to allow Mr Jayasekara to take oaths as an MP.